William Barr opened a legal conference with a surprise bagpipe performance

(Image credit: Twitter/Jason Hoffman)

published 26 June 2019

As the saying goes, "it's not a party until the bagpipes come out."

Attorney General William Barr got the party started on Wednesday morning, opening the U.S. Attorneys National Conference in Washington, D.C. with an inspiring bagpipe performance.

Barr dramatically emerged from backstage and received a standing ovation when U.S. Attorneys in attendance realized they'd be treated to a surprise performance from the nation's top law enforcement officer. But Barr is a longtime bagpipe aficionado. Before becoming attorney general in former President George H.W. Bush's administration, Barr performed in the City of Washington Pipe Band, one of the world's top bagpipe ensembles, reports The New Yorker. His fellow band member even went so far as to call Barr a "serious piper."

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Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.

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