Clark Clifford

Clark Clifford was a prominent American lawyer and politician who served as the United States Secretary of Defense under President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1968 to 1969. Clifford's career spanned multiple decades, during which he worked with notable figures such as Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Jimmy Carter. He was also a key advisor to several Democratic Party presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Bill Clinton. Clifford's expertise and influence extended to various fields, including foreign policy, national security, and law, earning him recognition from institutions like the Harvard University and the Yale Law School.

● Early Life and Education

Clark Clifford was born on December 25, 1906, in Fort Scott, Kansas, to Frank Clifford and Georgia Clifford. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and developed an interest in politics and law at an early age, inspired by figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Clifford attended the University of Missouri and later graduated from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was influenced by the teachings of Roscoe Pound and Felix Frankfurter. During his time at law school, Clifford also worked with the American Bar Association and the National Lawyers Guild, further solidifying his connections to the legal community and judicial system, including the Supreme Court of the United States and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

● Career

After completing his law degree, Clifford began his career as a lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri, working with the St. Louis County Circuit Court and the Missouri Court of Appeals. He later moved to Washington, D.C. and joined the Office of Naval Intelligence, where he worked closely with Admiral Sidney W. Souers and General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Clifford's expertise in national security and foreign policy led to his appointment as the White House Counsel under President Harry S. Truman, where he played a key role in shaping the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, in collaboration with George Marshall, Dean Acheson, and George Kennan. Clifford also worked with the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, advising on matters related to the Cold War, including the Berlin Blockade and the Korean War.

● Politics and Public Service

Clifford's experience in the Truman administration led to his involvement in the 1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy, where he served as a key advisor on foreign policy and national security. He later worked with President Lyndon B. Johnson as the United States Secretary of Defense, playing a crucial role in shaping the Johnson administration's policies on the Vietnam War, in consultation with Robert McNamara, Henry Kissinger, and McGeorge Bundy. Clifford also advised President Jimmy Carter on matters related to the Camp David Accords and the SALT II treaty, working closely with Anwar El-Sadat, Menachem Begin, and Leonid Brezhnev. Throughout his career, Clifford maintained close relationships with prominent figures, including Nelson Rockefeller, Hubert Humphrey, and Walter Mondale.

● Later Life and Legacy

After leaving public service, Clifford returned to his law practice, working with the Washington, D.C. firm of Clifford & Warnke. He also remained involved in politics and public policy, serving on the Board of Directors of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission, alongside David Rockefeller and Zbigniew Brzezinski. Clifford received numerous awards and honors for his service, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Security Medal, presented by President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush. His legacy continues to be felt in the fields of foreign policy, national security, and law, with institutions like the Brookings Institution and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace recognizing his contributions.

● Controversies and Criticisms

Despite his many accomplishments, Clifford's career was not without controversy. He faced criticism for his role in the Vietnam War, particularly with regards to the Gulf of Tonkin incident and the Pentagon Papers, which were leaked by Daniel Ellsberg and published by the New York Times. Clifford also faced scrutiny for his involvement in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) scandal, which led to a Congressional investigation and criticism from figures like Senator John Kerry and Representative Charles Schumer. Additionally, Clifford's close relationships with prominent politicians and business leaders, including Armand Hammer and Robert Vesco, raised questions about his influence and potential conflicts of interest, sparking debates about the role of lobbying and special interest groups in American politics.