Before Geoffrey Berman was tapped to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, President Donald Trump in 2017 took the highly unusual step of interviewing him personally—and by doing so, raised suspicions that the Greenberg Traurig partner would be his toady, loyally protecting his patron.

Turns out, many onlookers (myself included) underestimated Berman—and overestimated Attorney General William Barr, who of late seems to be channeling his inner super villain. At this point, all he needs is a secret lair and a moat of alligators. (Oh wait, that’s going in by the wall.)