He also has a long history in the capital. The attorney general for President George H.W. Bush from 1991 to 1993, Barr in recent months has criticized aspects of the Russia investigation and defended many of Trump's actions, including his dismissal of FBI Director James Comey.
"I did not know him until recently," Trump told reporters Friday. "But he was my first choice since Day One."
If confirmed, Barr would replace attorney general Jeff Sessions, who was dismissed last month by Trump.
The president had constantly criticized Sessions' decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation because he had been involved with Trump's campaign in 2016.
