Former AG William Barr on Trump’s ‘monumental ego’ and legal peril

Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Former Attorney General William Barr reflects on his time in Donald Trump’s administration and tells Margaret Hoover why he thinks it would be a “tragedy” if Trump wins the GOP nomination.

Barr–who left the DOJ amid Trump’s baseless claims of a stolen election in December 2020– defends his own pre-election warnings about the potential for voter fraud, denies Trump’s frequent tweets ever influenced his work, and explains why he feels descriptions of January 6th as an attempted coup are “overdramatic.”

Barr, who also ran the Justice Department under President George H.W. Bush, discusses the growing politicization of government institutions, the facts and fiction about the “deep state,” and his expansive view of executive power.

And despite his criticisms of Trump’s character and judgment, Barr confirms he might still be willing to vote for his former boss again over a progressive Democrat.

Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Stephens Inc., Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Damon Button, Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and The Marc Haas Foundation.