Barbara McQuade

Professor McQuade will discuss observations and recommendations from her recent book, Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America (Seven Stories Press, 2024). The book defines disinformation as "the deliberate use of lies to manipulate people, whether to extract profit or to advance a political agenda." She will discuss why disinformation is especially dangerous at this point in U.S. history, especially the threats it poses to democracy, public safety, and national security. National, social media, and individual strategies to recognize disinformation and counter its effects will be discussed. Attack from Within will be available for purchase on site from a local book seller.
Barbara was appointed U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan by President Barack Obama in 2010. The first woman in that role, serving until 2017. Her interests include criminal law, criminal procedure, national security, data privacy and civil rights.