Attorney General and GW Law alumnus William Barr will leave his position before the end of the calendar year, according to a resignation letter sent to President Donald Trump Monday.
The move comes after Barr publicly acknowledged that there was no widespread voter fraud in the presidential election last month, which Trump has repeatedly refused to accept, The New York Times reported. Barr said in the letter he intends to step down on Dec. 23 and repeatedly praised the president for his work throughout his term.
“I am proud to have played a role in the many successes and unprecedented achievements you have delivered for the American people,” Barr said in the letter. “Your record is all the more historic because you accomplished it in the face of relentless, implacable resistance.”
The Electoral College voted Monday, confirming the results of the election last month, officially naming former Vice President Joe Biden as the president-elect.
Barr, who earned his law degree from the University in 1977, was sworn in as attorney general in February of last year. Barr had previously served as attorney general for former President George H.W. Bush’s administration, during which he was awarded an honorary degree from the law school in 1992.
Law school faculty urged officials to rescind the attorney general’s honorary degree after he ordered protesters in front of the White House to be dispersed in May. More than 50 faculty members authored a letter in June condemning Barr’s actions.
