John Schmidt

For those of a similar name, see John Schmitt (disambiguation).

John Schmidt was United States Associate Attorney General from 1994 to 1997 under President Bill Clinton. He has risen to small fame of late for his support of President George W. Bush's secret NSA wiretapping, believing that it is unconstitutional to place limits on the president's ability to obtain foreign intelligence.

Schmidt later ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Illinois in the 1998 primary losing to Congressman Glenn Poshard. He then ran in the Democratic primary for Illinois Attorney General in 2002 but lost to Lisa Madigan.

Prior to his service as Associate Attorney General, Schmidt served as Ambassador and Chief United States Negotiator to the Uruguay Round under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. He previously served in various top capacities for Democratic elected officials, including as the first Chief of Staff for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Schmidt is currently a partner in the Chicago law firm of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP.

External links

• "An Examination of the Call to Censure the President" - Testimony, United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, March 31, 2006. Accessed January 1, 2009.
• FISA for the 21st Century - Statement, United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, July 26, 2006. Accessed January 1, 2009.
• For Want of a Warrant FrontPageMag, February 26, 2006
• Justice Dept. Will Lose Its No. 3 Official, New York Times, December 6, 1996. Accessed January 1, 2009.
• John R. Schmidt - Partner, Mayer Brown, Accessed January 1, 2009

Legal offices
Preceded by Webster Hubbell	United States Associate Attorney General 1994-1997	Succeeded by Raymond C. Fisher