Writing a book is a difficult and intense process. It is also rewarding and gratifying. I am so thankful to all of the friends and family who have supported me through all the years.
First and foremost, thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thank you to my mom and dad. Without your love and guidance, none of this would be possible. Thank you to my brother Todd. He is the writer in the family, and his encouragement and friendship made this possible.
Thank you to President Donald J. Trump. I appreciate your faith in me, and I am grateful for everything. I continue to support your efforts to Keep America Great.
To Vice President Pence, thank you for your support and kindness.
Thank you to the members of President Trump’s cabinet—it was an honor to serve alongside you.
Thank you to McGregor Scott, America is great because of people like you and Jennifer.
Thank you to Bernadette Serton. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with you on this book and to tell this story. Our meetings were always productive and therapeutic. You are a true patriot, and you and your family are what is great about our country.
Thank you to all of my colleagues at the Department of Justice. All of the Bush 43 former U.S. Attorneys including: Bob Balfe, Eric Peterson, Drew Wrigley, Richard Roper, the late Don DeGabrielle, Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court Mike Heavican, Chuck Larson, Sr., Kevin O’Connor, Mike Sullivan, Karen Hewitt, Deb Yang, John Ratcliffe, Matt Dummermuth, Judge Eric Melgren, Bud Cummins, Todd Graves, Catherine Hanaway, Paul Charlton, Greg Brower, Matt Mead, Susan Brooks, Brett Tolman, Ed Yarborough, Terry Flynn, John Richter, Johnny Sutton, Mike Battle, John Brownlee, Leura Canary, Bob Corrente, Jane Duke, Troy Eid, John Wood, Jim McDevitt, Robert McCallum, John McKay, Pat Meehan, Bill Mercer, Greg Miller, Matt Orwig, Jeff Taylor, Ron Tenpas, Mary Beth Buchanan, Marty Jackley, Bill Leone, Jim Letten, Guy Lewis, and Scott Schools. The Attorney General’s office staff and counselors, you were each invaluable and so important to this story. Thank you to my friend Theresa Watson who kept me on my toes and the trains running on time. Your contributions to the Department of Justice are immeasurable.
I am grateful for the leadership and friendship of current U.S. Attorneys including Bobby Christine, Nick Trutanich, Jay Towne, Zach Terwilliger, Erin Nealy Cox, Maria Chapa Lopez, Ariana Fajardo Orshan, B. J. Pak, John Lausch, Pete Deegan, Marc Krickbaum, Marc Hurst, Tim Garrison, Jeff Jensen, Craig Carpenito, Rich Donoghue, Matt Martin, Justin Herdman, Trent Shores and Mike Stuart. Thank you to Jeff Sessions, Steve Engel, Noel Francisco, Rachel Brand, John Demurs, Brian Benczkowski, and all of the AAGs and DAAGs, staff and lawyers at main Justice and in the U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, where much of the important work of the DOJ gets done.
Thank you to my friends and patriots, the state Attorneys General. Thank you to my friends in Congress, especially Devin Nunes for writing the foreword for this book. Thank you to Rick Perry for your longtime friendship and support.
Thank you to Attorney General John Ashcroft and Attorney General Ed Meese. You are true examples of leadership, and the Department of Justice owes you a debt of gratitude for your service. Thank you to all of the professionals serving within the law enforcement agencies at DOJ (FBI, DEA, ATF and U.S. Marshals), all of federal law enforcement agents and staff government-wide, and my friends in state and local law enforcement. You have my thanks, and I have your back. A special thanks to all of the FBI Agents that served on my security detail, led by Mike and Ross, while I was Acting Attorney General.
Thank you to all of my friends from Ankeny, Iowa—there is no better place to grow up. A special thank you to my teachers and coaches at Ankeny. To my teammates and coaches at the University of Iowa, I will always cherish our time together. Coach Fry—we all miss you, and there are not enough words to express what an incredible impact you had on every young man that played for you. May God bless your family. Go Hawks!
Thank you to Jack Whitver, Chris Hagenow, and Bill Gustoff. We had many great times together, and I look forward to more to come. Thank you to Kendra Arnold. You are a great friend and colleague. Thank you to Leonard Leo and Jonathan Bunch. Your friendship is invaluable. Thank you to Jeff Roe and everyone at Axiom. Jeff is the best mind in politics, and I am glad to have him as a friend and colleague.
Thank you to all of my former colleagues at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Iowa. You taught me how to wear the white hat of justice. Thank you to my two former First Assistants—Kevin VanderSchel and Stephen Patrick O’Meara, I know it was a project.
Thank you to Dan Scavino, Jared Kushner, Don McGahn, Annie Donaldson, John Kelly, Emmitt Flood, Pat Cipollone, Mick Mulvaney, and everyone at the White House who was always so helpful and supportive. Thank you Dina Powell McCormick for your friendship and advice. David Urban, thanks for your service to America.
Thank you to Greg Mueller, Keith Appell, Victoria Kucharski, and everyone at CRC Public Relations. I am grateful for everything you do. Thank you to all of my friends at Fox News.
Thank you to everyone who helped and supported my political campaigns in 2002 and 2014, including Rory Triplett, Michael Antonopoulos, and Justin Arnold.
Thank you to Matt and Mercy Schlapp for your friendship. Thank you to Senator Chuck Grassley for recommending me for U.S. Attorney and for your long-time friendship. Thank you to President Bush for selecting me to be your U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Iowa. To Senator Joni Ernst, thank you for your friendship and encouragement.
Thank you to Keith Urbahn and everyone at Javelin, as well as Harry Crocker and everyone at Regnery.
Thank you, Carol and Joe and the Muldoons.