Edwin Meese

Edwin Meese – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Edwin Meese III (born December 2, 1931) is an American lawyer, public servant, and conservative intellectual. As U.S. Attorney General under Reagan and adviser to multiple administrations, he has shaped debates on constitutional interpretation, law enforcement, and public policy. Explore his life, views, and notable quotations.

Introduction

Edwin Meese is a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in American political and legal history. Best known for serving as the 75th U.S. Attorney General under President Ronald Reagan (1985–1988), Meese’s career spans roles in state and federal government, think tanks, legal scholarship, and public discourse. He remains influential in conservative legal and policy circles, especially concerning constitutional originalism, law enforcement, and the limits of government power.

Early Life and Education

Edwin Meese III was born on December 2, 1931 in Oakland, California. He was the eldest of four sons born to Leone Feldman and Edwin Meese, Jr. His father served as Alameda County Treasurer and was active in local public service. As a child, Meese showed early interest in writing and civic engagement: at age 10, he and his brothers published a mimeographed neighborhood newspaper.

He graduated from Oakland High School as valedictorian in 1949. He received a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University (1953), where he was active in debate, political societies, and student leadership. He then earned his law degree from UC Berkeley School of Law in 1958, after which he began work as a prosecutor in Alameda County.

Meese also served in the U.S. Army (active duty and reserves). He rose to the rank of colonel in the Army Reserve, retiring in 1984.

Career & Public Service

Early Legal & State Service

After law school, Meese joined the Alameda County District Attorney’s office as a prosecutor. He also maintained a private practice in civil law during evenings. He established a reputation for strict law enforcement and conservative legal views.

In 1967, Meese joined Ronald Reagan’s California gubernatorial administration as legal affairs secretary, later becoming Executive Assistant or Chief of Staff to Governor Reagan (1969–1974).

During the 1969 People’s Park protests in Berkeley, Meese played a key role in advising the governor to declare a state of emergency and deploy the National Guard—actions that remain controversial in his legacy.

In the mid-1970s he taught law and engaged in organizational work, including directing the Center for Criminal Justice Policy and Management at the University of San Diego.

Reagan Administration & Attorney General

When Reagan became president (1981), Meese served as Counselor to the President, coordinating policy, supervising domestic initiatives, and liaising with conservative constituencies. He was deeply involved in shaping Reagan’s agenda on law, courts, and constitutional matters.

In 1985, Reagan nominated Meese as U.S. Attorney General; his confirmation was hotly contested, delaying his appointment. He served from February 25, 1985 to August 12, 1988.

As Attorney General, Meese championed a “jurisprudence of original intent”—arguing for interpreting the U.S. Constitution based on what the Framers intended rather than evolving societal values. He also led the Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography; the resulting “Meese Report” (1986) was a massive investigation into the legal, social, and economic effects of pornography, and led to calls for enforcement actions.

His tenure was not without scandal: investigations into his associations in the Wedtech scandal and ethical questions around a pipeline contract to Iraq drew scrutiny. Meese resigned in 1988 as independent counsel reports were delivered.

Post-Government & Intellectual Influence

After leaving the Justice Department, Meese became deeply involved in conservative legal advocacy and think tanks. He holds roles with The Heritage Foundation, Hoover Institution, Federalist Society, among others. He has authored numerous books on constitutional theory, public policy, leadership, and judicial philosophy (e.g. The Heritage Guide to the Constitution, With Reagan: The Inside Story). In 2019, President Donald Trump awarded Meese the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his lifetime impact.

He also served on the 2006 Iraq Study Group, helping to assess U.S. strategy in Iraq.

Themes, Beliefs & Legal Philosophy

• Originalism / Constitutional Restraint: Meese stresses that the Constitution is fixed in meaning and that judges should not legislate from the bench.

• Law enforcement & order: He emphasizes the rule of law, firm policing, and criminal justice as pillars of social stability.

• Limited government & individual rights: While supporting strong enforcement, he also argues that government power must be restrained by constitutional limits.

• Moral dimension of law: Meese often frames legal questions in moral or civilizational terms (e.g. pornography, family, religious freedom).

• Activist conservative networks: He has played a formative role in conservative legal and policy institutions, shaping training, strategy, and doctrine.

Notable Quotes

Here are some memorable quotations attributed to Edwin Meese:

1. “An expert is somebody who is more than 50 miles from home, has no responsibility for implementing the advice he gives, and shows slides.”

2. “You don’t have many suspects who are innocent of a crime. That’s contradictory. If a person is innocent of a crime, then he is not a suspect.”

3. “I was attorney general; my name is Meese. I say, go to college. Don’t carry a piece.”

4. “Democracy demands that judges confine themselves to a narrow sphere of influence — that is why the late Alexander Bickel called the judiciary the ‘Least Dangerous Branch.’”

5. “I don’t think a reporter necessarily becomes an arm of law enforcement. I think a reporter is like any other citizen. If a citizen can do his or her duty as a witness … there’s a duty on the part of the citizen.”

These quotes reflect his views on expertise, crime, constitutional boundaries, and civic duty.

Lessons & Reflections

1. Legal philosophy shapes public policy
   Meese’s insistence on originalism reminds us how constitutional interpretation affects real-world governance, not just theory.

2. The tension between power and restraint
   His career illustrates both the use of expansive enforcement and the importance of limiting government intrusions.

3. Institutional influence transcends office
   Even after leaving government, Meese has had ongoing impact through writings, think tanks, and networks.

4. Public service invites scrutiny
   His tenure shows how high office, especially in law enforcement, brings ethical and political pressures.

5. Law is also rhetorical and symbolic
   Meese’s discourse often appeals to morality, culture, and identity, demonstrating how law and public persuasion interlink.

Conclusion

Edwin Meese’s life is a study in the power of law, ideology, and institutions. From prosecutor to Attorney General to public intellectual, he has shaped debates about constitutional governance, the role of courts, enforcement, and conservative legal strategy. His legacy is contested—but undeniable—in the landscape of American legal and political thought.