Former Attorney General William Barr was one of the media’s favorite Trump administration villains. They described him as a “ruthless, relentless political hack and thug,” “the most dangerous member of the Trump administration,” and a “danger to democracy.” But it turns out Barr was one of the only senior administration officials willing to stand up to Trump and tell him the truth.

Barr departed the administration in December after it became clear Trump’s priorities had changed. The president wanted Barr to support his claims of widespread voter fraud, and he wanted the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, President-elect Joe Biden’s son. Barr refused to do both, publicly stating that his agency had not found proof of widespread voter fraud and resisting efforts to publicize the DOJ’s investigation into Hunter Biden.