General William Barr
General William Barr: A Closer Look
General William Barr is an American lawyer, government official and former Attorney General of the United States. He has held the position of the Attorney General twice, first from 1991 to 1993 under President George H. W. Bush and then again from 2019 to 2020 under President Donald J. Trump.
Early Life and Education
General William Barr was born on May 23, 1950 in New York City. He was raised in the Long Island suburb of Southshore. He attended Columbia University for his undergraduate degree and then went on to earn a Master of Arts in Government and Chinese Studies from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs. He also earned a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University Law School in 1977.
Early Career and Political Involvement
General William Barr has held a number of positions in the public and private sectors over the years. He began his legal career at the Central Intelligence Agency, working as an analyst from 1973 to 1977. From 1977 to 1978 he served as a law clerk for judge Malcolm Wilkey of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. In 1978 he went to work for the law firm of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge. He became a partner at the firm in 1983.
General William Barr has also been involved in politics, having served as Deputy Attorney General under President George H. W. Bush from 1989 to 1991 and then as Attorney General of the United States from 1991 to 1993. He was later appointed as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia in 1991 and served until 1994.
Attorney General of the United States
General William Barr was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve as the United States Attorney General in December of 2018. He was confirmed by the Senate in February of 2019 and assumed office on February 14, 2019. As Attorney General, General Barr is the head of the Department of Justice and is responsible for the enforcement of federal criminal and civil laws. He is also responsible for advising the President on legal issues and for ensuring that all federal agencies comply with the law.
One of the most notable events of General William Barr’s tenure as Attorney General was his handling of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. In May of 2019, he released a redacted version of the report compiled by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, which had been investigating the matter. He was criticized by some for his handling of the investigation and for his decision to withhold certain portions of the report from the public.
Retirement
General William Barr announced his retirement from the post of Attorney General on December 14, 2020. He had served in the post for nearly two years and was the longest serving Attorney General since John Ashcroft. His tenure was marked by a number of controversial decisions, including his handling of the Mueller Report and his decision to replace four U.S. Attorneys.
FAQ’s
Where was General William Barr born?
General William Barr was born in New York City on May 23, 1950.
What education does General William Barr have?
General William Barr has a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, a Master’s degree in Government and Chinese Studies from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, and a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University Law School.
What positions has General William Barr held?
General William Barr has held numerous positions in the public and private sectors, including Deputy Attorney General under President George H. W. Bush, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, and Attorney General of the United States under President Donald J. Trump.
When did General William Barr announce his retirement?
General William Barr announced his retirement from the post of Attorney General on December 14, 2020.