Tim Griffin

Tim Griffin
Born	John Timothy Griffin 21 8, 1968
Birthplace	Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Lawyer, politician
Known for	U.S. Attorney dismissal controversy, service as Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General of Arkansas
Education	Hendrix College (BA) Pembroke College, Oxford Tulane University (JD) United States Army War College (MSS)
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Griffin
Children	3
Awards	Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Service Medal

John Timothy Griffin (born August 21, 1968) is an American lawyer, politician, and military officer serving as the 57th Attorney General of Arkansas. A member of the Republican Party, Griffin has held a series of prominent public offices in Arkansas and at the federal level, including service as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 2006 to 2007, U.S. Representative for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district from 2011 to 2015, and the 20th Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas from 2015 to 2023. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Griffin built his career in Arkansas politics, law, and military service, holding the rank of Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. His tenure as U.S. Attorney became a focal point of a national controversy over the dismissal of U.S. attorneys during the George W. Bush administration, an episode that drew significant congressional scrutiny and media attention. Griffin's path through public life has traversed the arenas of Republican Party politics, federal law enforcement, military deployment during the Iraq War, and state government leadership in Arkansas.

Early Life

John Timothy Griffin was born on August 21, 1968, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Details regarding his parents and upbringing in Charlotte are limited in the public record. Griffin later relocated to Arkansas, where he would pursue his higher education and build a career in law and politics.

Griffin attended Hendrix College, a private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently studied at Pembroke College at the University of Oxford in England. He then attended Tulane University Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. Later in his career, Griffin also completed a Master of Strategic Studies degree at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

In addition to his legal and academic pursuits, Griffin began service in the United States Army Reserve in 1996, a commitment he has maintained for decades. He would eventually rise to the rank of Colonel and deploy to Iraq in 2006 as part of the 101st Airborne Division.

Education

Griffin's educational background spans multiple institutions and disciplines. He received his undergraduate degree from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. He then pursued studies at Pembroke College, Oxford, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. Griffin earned his law degree from Tulane University Law School. He later obtained a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, reflecting his dual commitment to legal and military careers.

Career

Early Legal and Political Career

Before holding elected office, Griffin established himself as a lawyer and Republican political operative in Arkansas. He worked in various capacities within the Republican Party apparatus and in federal government positions during the administration of George W. Bush. Griffin served in roles that combined legal expertise with political strategy, working within the executive branch and the party structure.

Military Service

Griffin has served in the United States Army Reserve since 1996. He deployed to Iraq from May to August 2006, serving with the 101st Airborne Division and the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. His service during the Iraq War earned him several military decorations, including the Combat Action Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, six Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, and the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation. He holds the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserve.

U.S. Attorney and the Dismissal Controversy

On December 20, 2006, Griffin was appointed as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, succeeding Bud Cummins. His appointment was made under a provision of the USA PATRIOT Act that allowed the Attorney General to appoint interim U.S. attorneys without Senate confirmation.

The circumstances surrounding Griffin's appointment quickly became embroiled in the broader U.S. attorney dismissal controversy of 2006–2007. Cummins, Griffin's predecessor, was among several U.S. attorneys whose departures drew scrutiny from Congress. Congressional investigators examined whether the dismissals were politically motivated and whether the Patriot Act provision had been used to install political allies without Senate oversight.

Cummins himself provided testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Judiciary Committee regarding the circumstances of his dismissal and Griffin's appointment. Investigative reporting linked the appointment to White House involvement, with reports suggesting that senior White House officials, including Karl Rove's office, had engineered the replacement of Cummins with Griffin, who had previously worked in Republican political operations.

The controversy generated sustained media coverage and multiple congressional hearings. A McClatchy investigation reported on how politics had weakened the Department of Justice, with Griffin's appointment cited as a case study. The National Journal also covered the controversy in depth.

Griffin served as U.S. Attorney from December 20, 2006, until June 1, 2007, when he resigned amid the ongoing controversy. He was succeeded by Jane Duke. The Arkansas Times and other state media outlets covered the developments closely throughout the episode.

In 2008, during John McCain's presidential campaign, Griffin's connection to the U.S. attorney controversy resurfaced. Griffin had been working as an aide to the McCain campaign, and questions were raised about whether the campaign's association with a figure linked to the Department of Justice scandal posed political risks.

U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2015)

Griffin ran for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district seat in 2010, succeeding retiring Democratic incumbent Vic Snyder. He won the general election in the Republican wave year of 2010. Griffin took office on January 3, 2011, and served two terms in the United States House of Representatives.

During his time in Congress, Griffin was a member of the Republican caucus and participated in legislative debates on a range of issues. He was among the members of Congress who argued that the Obama administration's delay of the Affordable Care Act's employer mandate was illegal, a position that was also advanced by scholars at the Cato Institute. Coverage by Slate also examined Griffin's role and positions during this period.

Griffin did not seek re-election in 2014 to his House seat, opting instead to run for lieutenant governor. He was succeeded by French Hill.

Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas (2015–2023)

In 2014, Griffin ran for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas and defeated Democratic nominee John Burkhalter in the general election. He took office on January 13, 2015, serving under Governor Asa Hutchinson. Griffin served as the 20th Lieutenant Governor, a position he held for two full terms spanning eight years.

As lieutenant governor, Griffin presided over the Arkansas Senate and took on various duties associated with the office, including serving as acting governor during the governor's absences from the state. He was re-elected to a second term, continuing his service through January 10, 2023.

In the summer of 2020, Griffin announced his candidacy for the 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial election. However, he withdrew from the gubernatorial race in February 2021, subsequently launching a campaign for Attorney General of Arkansas instead. He was succeeded as lieutenant governor by Leslie Rutledge, who had previously served as attorney general.

Attorney General of Arkansas (2023–present)

Griffin won the 2022 election for Attorney General of Arkansas, succeeding Leslie Rutledge, who had vacated the office to run for lieutenant governor. He took office on January 10, 2023, serving under Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

As attorney general, Griffin has pursued a range of enforcement actions. In October 2025, his office announced the arrests of three noncitizens for illegally voting in Arkansas elections.

In February 2026, Griffin hosted a press conference at the University of Arkansas and announced the establishment of a new office of the Attorney General at the university.

In January 2026, Griffin participated in discussions with U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, Senator John Boozman, and FBI Director Kash Patel regarding China's impacts on national security and the homeland.

In September 2025, ethics complaints were filed against Griffin and other Arkansas officials, alleging purported violations of Arkansas ethics and campaign finance laws. The complaints were reported by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Griffin's office was also involved in the case of Jay Greene v. Attorney General Tim Griffin, et al., a lawsuit brought by the Pacific Legal Foundation challenging an Arkansas law that was alleged to impose a racial quota. The case resulted in a joint motion for entry of judgment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas in October 2025.

Personal Life

Griffin is married to Elizabeth Griffin. The couple has three children. Griffin resides in Arkansas, where he has been based throughout his political career. He maintains his commission as a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve, having served since 1996. His military service includes a deployment to Iraq in 2006, during which he earned the Combat Action Badge and multiple other commendations.

Recognition

Griffin's military service has been recognized with several decorations, including the Combat Action Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, six Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, and the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation. These awards reflect his service during the Iraq War and his continued reserve duty.

In his political career, Griffin has received attention for his roles in multiple branches and levels of government, having served as a federal prosecutor, U.S. Representative, lieutenant governor, and attorney general — a breadth of experience that is uncommon among Arkansas officials.