John Danforth

John Danforth
Born	John Claggett Danforth 5 9, 1936
Birthplace	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney, diplomat, Episcopal priest
Known for	U.S. Senator from Missouri (1976–1995), U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2004–2005)
Education	Princeton University (BA) Yale University (JD, MDiv)
Children	5
Awards	St. Louis Walk of Fame inductee

John Claggett Danforth (born September 5, 1936) is an American politician, attorney, diplomat, and Episcopal priest who built a long and distinctive career spanning law, public service, and religion. A member of the Republican Party, Danforth served as the 37th Attorney General of Missouri from 1969 to 1976 and represented Missouri in the United States Senate from 1976 to 1995. After leaving the Senate, he was appointed special counsel for the United States Department of Justice from 1999 to 2000, investigating the federal government's handling of the 1993 Waco siege. He later served as the 24th United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2004 to 2005 under President George W. Bush. Born into one of Missouri's most prominent families — his grandfather was William H. Danforth, founder of the Ralston Purina company — Danforth was considered as a vice-presidential running mate by both George H. W. Bush in 1988 and George W. Bush in 2000. An ordained Episcopal minister, Danforth has been a rare figure in American political life, navigating the intersection of faith and governance while maintaining a reputation for bipartisan pragmatism. In his post-Senate years, he has been an outspoken commentator on the direction of the Republican Party and American political culture.

Early Life

John Claggett Danforth was born on September 5, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born into one of Missouri's most influential families. His grandfather, William H. Danforth, founded the Ralston Purina company, which became one of the largest animal feed and consumer products corporations in the United States. His brother, William Danforth, would go on to serve as chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis.

Growing up in St. Louis, Danforth was raised in a family environment that emphasized both civic responsibility and faith. The Danforth family's deep roots in Missouri and their philanthropic activities — including the establishment of the Danforth Foundation — provided a backdrop of public-mindedness that would shape his future career. The combination of privilege and a sense of obligation to public service that characterized the Danforth family was instrumental in steering the young John toward a life in politics and ministry.

Education

Danforth pursued his higher education at two of the most prestigious institutions in the United States. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University. He then attended Yale University, where he undertook the unusual path of pursuing two graduate degrees simultaneously. At Yale, Danforth earned both a Juris Doctor (JD) from Yale Law School and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Yale Divinity School. This dual educational background in law and theology was uncommon among American politicians and reflected Danforth's lifelong commitment to integrating his religious convictions with his professional and political life. His ordination as an Episcopal priest further distinguished him from most of his contemporaries in American public life. The combination of legal training and theological education gave Danforth a distinctive intellectual framework that informed his approach to policy and governance throughout his career.

Career

Attorney General of Missouri (1969–1976)

Danforth entered public life in 1968 when he won the election for Attorney General of Missouri, taking office on January 13, 1969. He served under Governors Warren E. Hearnes and Kit Bond. At the age of 32, Danforth became the first Republican to hold the office in decades, signaling a shift in Missouri's political landscape.

As attorney general, Danforth established a reputation as a reform-minded and effective chief legal officer for the state. He served in the position for nearly eight years, during which he built a statewide political profile that would serve as a launching pad for his subsequent Senate campaign. His tenure as attorney general was notable for his efforts to modernize the office and engage with emerging legal issues of the era. John Ashcroft, who would later become a prominent political figure in his own right, succeeded Danforth as attorney general and later succeeded him in the Senate as well.

United States Senate (1976–1995)

In 1976, Danforth won election to the United States Senate, succeeding Stuart Symington, who had retired. Danforth took office on December 27, 1976, and would go on to serve three full terms, remaining in the Senate until January 3, 1995.

During his nearly two decades in the Senate, Danforth established himself as a centrist Republican known for thoughtful, independent-minded legislating. He served as Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee from January 3, 1985, to January 3, 1987, succeeding Bob Packwood in the role. In this capacity, Danforth oversaw policy related to commerce, science, and transportation, areas that were undergoing significant transformation during the 1980s.

One of the most prominent episodes of Danforth's Senate career was his role in the confirmation of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1991. Thomas, who had served as an aide to Danforth when Danforth was attorney general of Missouri, was nominated by President George H. W. Bush. The confirmation hearings became one of the most contentious in American history following allegations of sexual harassment by Anita Hill. Danforth was Thomas's principal champion in the Senate, providing testimony and working to secure votes for his confirmation.

Throughout his Senate tenure, Danforth was recognized as a legislator who sought bipartisan solutions and resisted ideological extremism. His background as an ordained Episcopal priest informed his approach to ethical questions in policy, and he frequently emphasized the importance of civility and comity in the legislative process. He was considered a member of the moderate wing of the Republican Party, often working across the aisle with Democratic colleagues on matters of mutual interest.

Danforth's prominence within the Republican Party was such that President George H. W. Bush considered selecting him as his vice-presidential running mate in 1988. Bush ultimately chose Dan Quayle, but the consideration underscored Danforth's stature within the party.

Danforth chose not to seek a fourth term and retired from the Senate at the end of his third term in January 1995. He was succeeded by John Ashcroft, who had previously succeeded him as Missouri attorney general.

Special Counsel for the Waco Investigation (1999–2000)

In September 1999, Attorney General Janet Reno appointed Danforth as special counsel for the United States Department of Justice to investigate the federal government's actions during the 1993 Waco siege, in which the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Federal Bureau of Investigation engaged in a 51-day standoff with the Branch Davidians near Waco, Texas, that ended with a fire that killed 76 people.

The investigation addressed persistent questions about whether federal agents had used incendiary devices, fired weapons at the Branch Davidians, or otherwise contributed to the tragic outcome of the siege. Danforth served as special counsel from September 9, 1999, to July 23, 2000, with Edward L. Dowd Jr. serving as his deputy. The appointment of Danforth, a figure respected across party lines, was intended to lend credibility to the investigation. His final report largely exonerated the federal government of the most serious allegations, though it acknowledged certain missteps in the handling of the situation.

United States Ambassador to the United Nations (2004–2005)

On July 23, 2004, Danforth was appointed by President George W. Bush as the 24th United States Ambassador to the United Nations, succeeding John Negroponte. His appointment came at a particularly complex moment in international affairs, with the Iraq War ongoing and the United States facing considerable diplomatic challenges at the United Nations.

Prior to his appointment as ambassador, Danforth had served as a special envoy to Sudan, where he worked to mediate the Second Sudanese Civil War. His diplomatic work in Sudan demonstrated his capacity for complex international negotiations and contributed to the eventual Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the conflict.

Danforth served as ambassador until January 20, 2005, a tenure of approximately six months. His resignation letter, submitted in November 2004, cited personal reasons for his departure. He was succeeded on an acting basis by Anne Patterson.

Vice-Presidential Consideration

Danforth was considered as a potential vice-presidential candidate on two occasions. In 1988, President George H. W. Bush reportedly placed Danforth on his short list of candidates before ultimately selecting Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana. In 2000, George W. Bush similarly considered Danforth as a running mate during his presidential campaign before choosing former Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney. The fact that both a father and son considered him for the role over a span of twelve years reflected Danforth's enduring standing within the Republican Party establishment.

Post-Senate Political Commentary

Following his retirement from active political service, Danforth became an increasingly vocal commentator on the state of American politics and the direction of the Republican Party. In a March 2005 op-ed in The New York Times, Danforth wrote about the dangers of the growing influence of the religious right within the Republican Party, arguing that the party was becoming too closely identified with a narrow set of religious positions. In June 2005, he published another Times opinion piece further elaborating his concerns about the relationship between faith and politics, criticizing what he saw as the Republican Party's abandonment of its traditional commitment to limited government and individual liberty in favor of a religious agenda.

These commentaries generated significant attention and positioned Danforth as a prominent voice for moderation within the Republican Party. His criticism was notable given his own deep religious commitment as an ordained Episcopal priest, lending credibility to his argument that faith and political moderation were not mutually exclusive.

In 2021, Danforth drew further national attention when he publicly denounced Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri for his role in challenging the certification of the 2020 presidential election results, particularly in light of the January 6 United States Capitol attack. In a February 2021 interview with PBS NewsHour, Danforth described the contemporary Republican Party as "a grotesque caricature" of what it had been, expressing deep concern about the party's direction under the influence of former President Donald Trump. Danforth had previously supported Hawley's candidacy for the Senate, and his public repudiation represented a significant break.

In 2022, Danforth endorsed independent candidate John Wood for Missouri's open Senate seat, declaring that "each of the two political parties has gone to the extreme."

Danforth continued his public commentary into 2025. In May 2025, he published an opinion piece in the Kansas City Star criticizing President Trump's governing style, arguing that Americans "must stand up against the bully in the Oval Office." In September 2025, he commented publicly on the legal challenges to Trump's tariff policies, stating his view that the Supreme Court would ultimately take up the issue.

Personal Life

John Danforth is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church, a distinction that has made him unusual among American political figures. His dual vocation in law and ministry — rooted in his simultaneous pursuit of a JD and MDiv at Yale — has been a defining characteristic of his public identity.

Danforth has five children. His family connections extend throughout Missouri's civic and philanthropic life. His brother, William Danforth, served as chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis, and his grandfather, William H. Danforth, founded the Ralston Purina company and established the Danforth Foundation, which has been a significant philanthropic institution in the St. Louis region.

The Danforth Center at Washington University in St. Louis, named in honor of the Danforth family's contributions to the university, has continued to be an active institution. In 2025, political scientist Ryan Burge joined the Danforth Center, reflecting the center's ongoing role in examining questions at the intersection of religion and public life.

Recognition

Danforth has received recognition for his contributions to public life. He was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame, which honors individuals from the St. Louis region who have made notable contributions to American culture and history.

His appointment as special counsel for the Waco investigation, his service as special envoy to Sudan, and his role as United States Ambassador to the United Nations all reflected the high regard in which he was held across the political spectrum. The fact that he was appointed special counsel by Democratic Attorney General Janet Reno while being a Republican further underscored his bipartisan credibility.

Danforth's extensive public service career has been documented in the John C. Danforth Papers, held at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, which contain materials related to his work as attorney general, senator, and in other capacities.

Legacy

John Danforth's career spans more than five decades of American public life, encompassing roles as state attorney general, United States senator, special counsel, ambassador, and ordained priest. His career trajectory — from the attorney general's office in Jefferson City to the corridors of the United Nations in New York — reflected a breadth of engagement with domestic and international affairs that few American politicians have matched.

Within the Republican Party, Danforth has come to represent a tradition of moderate, pragmatic conservatism that has increasingly been at odds with the direction of the party in the 21st century. His public criticisms of both the religious right's influence in the 2000s and the populist nationalism associated with Donald Trump in the 2010s and 2020s have positioned him as one of the most prominent voices for a more centrist Republican identity.

His dual identity as a lawyer and clergyman has made him a distinctive figure in debates about the proper relationship between religion and politics in the United States. Unlike many political figures who invoke faith in service of partisan objectives, Danforth has consistently argued for a faith that transcends party and ideology, using his platform to advocate for moderation, civility, and what he has described as the reconciling role of religion in a divided society.

The Danforth family's broader contributions to St. Louis and Missouri — through the Ralston Purina company, Washington University, and various philanthropic endeavors — have ensured that the Danforth name remains a significant one in the civic life of the region. John Danforth's individual contributions to public service have added a political and diplomatic dimension to that legacy.