Advice Quote by William Barr
“An attorney general's duty is to render her opinion and honest advice; she cannot set herself up as a judge overruling the president's decision. The president need not 'convince' his subordinate that his decision reflects the best view of the law.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Press conference, Department of Justice, 2020
An attorney general must advise honestly, not act as a judge over the president’s choices, preserving checks and balances.
In simple terms: The AG should give advice, not overrule the president.
Key Takeaway
Maintain clear advisory role for the AG.
Themes
law
government
checks and balances
ethics
Mood
cautious
formal
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- policy advice
- executive decisions
- legal counsel
Key Concepts
advisory duty
separation of powers
constitutional limits
Questions to Reflect On
- Should the AG ever intervene in presidential decisions?
- How to balance loyalty and legal duty?
A Different Perspective
Political realities may blur advisory boundaries.
