As a member of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, Congressman Barr's eye is often on China, which he often cites as a serious adversary on multiple fronts and an example of the kind of government America shouldn't embrace.
Like Sen. Mitch McConnell, Barr as endorsed former president Donald Trump while refraining from echoing his more isolationist rhetoric.
In a recent interview on Fox News, Trump said he believes the bigger danger facing the U.S. isn't from overseas adversaries but from "enemies from within" — lumping prominent Democrats into that category.
Asked about those remarks, Barr had this to say.
"Look, the American people are not our enemies," he told WUKY. "We have our differences politically, but the Chinese Communist Party wants us to be divided."
Pressed on Trump's election denial and threats directed toward his political enemies, the congressman cast election concerns on the left as analogous to those on the right — pointing to worries about packing the Supreme Court, border security, and free speech, among others.
"Yes, Democrats have concerns about democracy. Republicans have concerns about democracy. What I think we need is robust debate, protection of free speech, and elections — and (to) celebrate our democracy in contrast to these authoritarian regimes that do censor their people and take away their freedoms," he said.
Barr did not address comments by the Republican presidential nominee which have drawn comparison to autocratic leaders.
An NPR investigation found more than 100 times when Trump has said his rivals, critics, and even private citizens should be investigated, prosecuted, put in jail, or otherwise punished.
While the incumbent lawmaker said it's easy to lament polarization in the country, he takes a different view of the tight race that's dominating the national conversation.
"I love the fact that we're headed to a very competitive election because it shows a healthy a vibrant democracy," Barr said.
