Attorney general Quote by Benjamin Wittes
“The nature of the job of attorney general has changed - irrevocably. And we should never again have an attorney general, of either party, capable of expressing surprise at the role that national security issues now play in the life of the Justice Department or in the role of its chief.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on National Security, Benjamin Wittes, 2023
The role of the attorney general now permanently includes national security, making surprise impossible.
In simple terms: Attorney general must now expect security issues.
Key Takeaway
Accept security as core duty.
Themes
law
national security
government
Mood
serious
concerned
Type
analytical
policy
When to use this quote
- policy drafting
- court decisions
- interagency coordination
Key Concepts
institutional change
policy adaptation
Questions to Reflect On
- How should AGs balance security and civil liberties?
- What safeguards prevent overreach?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all AGs have equal influence, ignoring political realities.
