Clifton T. “Cliff” Barrett was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. The ceremony took place at the L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building in Greensboro, with U.S. District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. administering the oath. Barrett’s appointment as interim U.S. Attorney was made by Attorney General Pamela Bondi on June 21.
“I am honored to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina and thank President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for placing their trust in me,” said U.S. Attorney Barrett. “I look forward, along with other prosecutors in the office, to making the Middle District a safer place to live by holding offenders accountable for their actions. We will work closely with state, local, and federal law enforcement in addressing President Trump’s law enforcement priorities.”
Barrett is now the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in this district, which spans 24 counties from Durham County to Yadkin County and borders Virginia and South Carolina. The district has a population of about 3 million people and is responsible for prosecuting various federal crimes such as immigration issues, gang violence, national security threats, drug trafficking, and violent crime.
Barrett began his career with the Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in September 1994 and has prosecuted numerous federal criminal cases including those involving drug trafficking organizations, violent crime, child exploitation, public corruption, tax fraud, and terrorism-related offenses. He served as Chief of the Criminal Division for 25 years and held leadership roles evaluating other U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Barrett worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Forsyth County for nine years focusing on violent crime cases.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in history cum laude from Wake Forest University (1982) and a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law (1985). Since 1996 he has been an Adjunct Professor at Wake Forest University School of Law teaching Criminal Trial Advocacy.
