William Bart Saxbe (June 24, 1916 – August 24, 2010) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 70th United States Attorney General under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. A member of the Republican Party, Saxbe also represented Ohio in the United States Senate and served as the United States Ambassador to India.
Early Life and Education Born in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Saxbe attended Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1940. His education was interrupted by military service during World War II, during which he served in the United States Army Air Forces. Following the war, he returned to Ohio State University to earn his law degree in 1948. He later served again during the Korean War.
Political Career in Ohio Saxbe began his political career in the Ohio House of Representatives, serving from 1947 to 1954, including a term as Speaker of the House (1953–1954). He subsequently served as the Attorney General of Ohio for two non-consecutive periods: from 1957 to 1959 and again from 1963 to 1969.
United States Senate In 1968, Saxbe was elected to the United States Senate, representing Ohio. During his tenure, he gained a reputation for being independent-minded and occasionally critical of his own party's leadership.
United States Attorney General In late 1973, following the "Saturday Night Massacre" and the resignation of Elliot Richardson, President Richard Nixon nominated Saxbe to serve as U.S. Attorney General. His appointment required a legislative maneuver known as the "Saxbe fix," in which Congress reduced the salary of the Attorney General to the level it had been at the start of Saxbe's Senate term to avoid a conflict with the Ineligibility Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Saxbe served as Attorney General from January 1974 until February 1975. During his tenure, he oversaw the Department of Justice during the final months of the Watergate scandal and the transition of the presidency from Nixon to Gerald Ford. He was known for his blunt speaking style and his efforts to maintain the independence of the Department of Justice during a period of significant political instability.
Later Career and Death After resigning as Attorney General, Saxbe was appointed by President Ford to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to India, a post he held from 1975 to 1977. Following his diplomatic service, he returned to Ohio to practice law. Saxbe died on August 24, 2010, at his home in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, at the age of 94.