Determining the best attorney general in US history requires looking beyond political affiliation to examine legal acumen, moral courage, and lasting institutional impact. The officeholder must balance zealous advocacy for the administration with an independent commitment to the rule of law. While debates over partisanship often cloud these evaluations, several figures stand out for their transformative influence on the Department of Justice and the broader legal landscape.
Robert F. Kennedy: The Standard of Excellence
Robert F. Kennedy is widely regarded as the gold standard for the position, serving as Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 under his brother, President John F. Kennedy. He brought a youthful energy and a relentless focus on civil rights that reshaped the federal government's approach to justice. RFK authorized the Justice Department’s aggressive pursuit of voting rights and desegregation, often placing the federal government at odds with state governments in the Deep South.
His tenure is particularly noted for the management of the Cuban Missile Crisis, where his calm and strategic counsel was instrumental in navigating the path to a peaceful resolution. Furthermore, he established the framework for the Justice Department’s organized crime task forces, fundamentally altering the landscape of federal law enforcement. His willingness to challenge the FBI and other agencies to meet higher standards cemented his legacy as the benchmark for the role.
Ramsey Clark: The Advocate for Civil Rights
Progressive Enforcement and Legal Philosophy
Serving under President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1967 to 1969, Ramsey Clark is frequently cited alongside RFK for his profound impact on civil liberties and federal justice. Clark prioritized the protection of individual rights, significantly expanding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat racial discrimination and police misconduct. He was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and took a broad interpretation of the Constitution regarding presidential war powers.
Clark’s approach was often controversial, as he resisted wiretapping and other surveillance tactics that he viewed as infringements on privacy. While critics argued his policies hampered law enforcement, supporters celebrate him for safeguarding the liberties of political dissidents and ensuring that the federal government’s power was checked. His tenure remains a pivotal moment in the evolution of liberal legal thought within the executive branch.
William Barr: The Institutional Steward
William Barr has served twice as Attorney General, first under President George H. W. Bush and again under President Donald Trump. His legal career is defined by a deep expertise in constitutional law and a focus on the administrative efficiency of the Department of Justice. During his first tenure, he oversaw the successful prosecution of high-level officials in the Iran-Contra affair.
His second tenure was marked by significant controversy, particularly regarding his handling of investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Barr’s legal memos and interpretations of executive power sparked intense debate regarding the independence of the DOJ. Regardless of one’s political view, his influence on the procedural and constitutional boundaries of the office is undeniable, making him a central figure in the modern history of the position.
Edwin Meese: The Originalist
As Attorney General under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1985, Edwin Meese became a leading voice for originalist interpretation of the Constitution. He argued that judges should interpret the document based on the intent of the framers at the time of its writing, a philosophy that influenced the federal judiciary for decades. The Meese Report on pornography, while controversial, brought significant attention to the legal realities of obscenity and censorship.
Meese was a key architect of the "War on Drugs" and played a major role in the Iran-Contra affair. His tenure cemented the idea that the Attorney General should be a public intellectual willing to articulate a conservative legal philosophy, moving the office beyond mere administration into active judicial philosophy.
