Barr, who served in the Trump administration, said there was a distinction to be made between the president’s personal documents, such as notes taken at a meeting, and “very sensitive” documents “prepared by government agencies for the purpose of government action.” He also said almost anyone else in the country would have returned the documents if asked.

“This particular episode of trying to retrieve those documents, the government acted responsibly,” he said. “And it was Donald J. Trump who acted irresponsibly.”

The former attorney general also distinguished between Trump’s handling of documents and the processes that other former presidents used in handling the turnover of sensitive documents at the end of their terms, saying they had used secure and orderly procedures.

In differentiating this investigation from others that examined Trump’s conduct, Barr said he had defended Trump in the past — including in response to Alvin Bragg’s recent indictment in New York — but this case is different.

“This idea of presenting Trump as a victim here, a victim of a witch hunt, is ridiculous,” Barr said.

“Yes, he’s been a victim in the past. Yes, his adversaries have obsessively pursued him with phony claims. I have been at his side defending against them when he is a victim. But this is much different. He is not a victim here. He was totally wrong that he had the right to have those documents. Those documents are among the most sensitive secrets the country has.”