Donald Trump has announced that he is nominating William Barr as the permanent replacement for Jefferson Sessions as attorney general. The 68-year-old Barr previously served as attorney general under George H. W. Bush from 1991 through the end of the Bush administration.
Barr originally became acting attorney general when then attorney general Dick Thornburgh resigned for a Senate run. Barr was later nominated for the job and approved for the position unanimously. He was regarded as someone of notably even temper and earned praise for his willingness to discuss issues.
However, in recent days Barr has questioned the “political leanings” of Robert Mueller’s team, apparently buying into Trump’s claims that the Mueller investigation consists of “angry Democrats.” He has also authored an editorial defending Trump’s firing of James Comey, saying that Trump “made the right decision.” The Washington Post reports that Barr has also supported Trump’s idea of launching yet another investigation into issues related to … Hillary Clinton’s email.
The AG nominee holds very conservative views on social issues. That includes publicly stating that he believes the Roe v. Wade issue was decided incorrectly. Barr said at the time of his nomination under Bush that he did believe in a right to privacy, but did not believe that right “included abortion.” However, even on that issue, Joe Biden complimented Barr for at least giving "the first candid answer" he had heard from any nominee.
One notable decision from Barr’s term may also explain why Donald Trump was anxious to see him in that slot. During his term as AG, Barr appointed a retired federal judge to review charges that the Department of Justice had persecuted a software firm for political reasons. At the time, many—including former attorney general Elliot Richardson—had called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to handle the issue. But Barr shrugged off the idea, calling a special prosecutor not necessary.
The combination of casting suspicion on Mueller’s political leanings, attacking the importance of a special prosecutor, and calling for a new Clinton investigation was likely enough to convince Trump that Barr was a “kinder, gentler” Whitaker whose past appointment ensures he will sail through the Senate. However, don’t expect Barr to get a clap on the back and a free pass to the AG’s office. His statements regarding Mueller indicate that, like many in the Republican Party, his views have tilted definitely away from the positions he held in the ‘90s. And the issues he’s facing today are not the same as those he faced in his first confirmation.