Trump's attorney general nominee once attacked proposal for Mexico border wall, calling it 'overkill'

William Barr's views on immigration have evolved over the years

Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general once scoffed at the concept of having a wall built on the Mexican border as “overkill.”

During a February 1992 interview, William Barr, who served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush, and is now slated to assume the role once against after acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, was asked about building a border wall on the US-Mexico border to halt illegal immigration.

The border wall was a concept proposed by 1992 Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” Barr said on PBS News Hour ”I think that’s overkill to put a barrier from one side of the border to the other. In fact, the problem with illegal immigration across the border is really confined to major metropolitan areas. Illegal immigrants do not cross in the middle of the desert and walk hundreds of miles,” instead choosing more “certain specified routes.”

The routes Mr Barr refers to have been primarily closed off, thus prompting migrants to take more dangerous and riskier journeys.

It seems as though that Mr Barr’s views on immigration, specifically on border security, have evolved to become a bit more hard lined, similar to those of Mr Trump and his administration.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment on Mr Barr’s alleged change in perspective on immigration, but noted other statements on he’s made throughout his tenure. One of these comments include Mr Barr’s describing border fences as an effective measure to stop drug trafficking and illegal immigration, the Associated Press reported.

As Mr Bush’s attorney general, he also announced the hiring of more Border Patrol agents, promoted upgraded fencing, and investments in sensors and other forms of technology for border security.

Mr Barr’s viewpoints on immigration are important considering the fact the Justice Department has the authority to defend and enforce the Trump administration’s policies, which has made border security a top concern.

The prospective attorney general’s past comments provide a stark contrast to Mr Trump’s rhetoric of his proposed concrete and steel slatted wall, which he has called a “big beautiful wall,” and the president’s decision to partially shut down the government after losing a $5 billion request in funding for the wall.