US Senate OKs William Barr to be attorney general

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Senate narrowly approved Thursday President Donald Trump's pick to helm the Justice Department.

William Barr cleared the chamber 54-45 as Sen. Rand Paul was the sole Republican to vote against his nomination, largely due to his concerns over Barr's views on surveillance.

Three Democrats, however, backed Barr, including Sens. Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Kyrsten Sinema.

Barr previously served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush from 1991 to 1993. He is succeeding Jeff Sessions who was forced out of the post by Trump in November following a tumultuous relationship that often devolved into public rebukes.

Trump fumed repeatedly over Sessions' decision to recuse himself from the Russian investigation, a decision the president blames for the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller who is continuing to examine the matter and possible Trump campaign collusion.

Barr will now oversee that investigation.

Democrats had largely opposed Barr over his refusal to commit to making Mueller's final determinations and his report available to the public.

Sen. Barbara Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said on the Senate floor there is "no question" Barr is qualified to assume the top spot at the department, but questioned whether he should be given the chance with multiple investigations ongoing into Trump and close associates.

"The question before us is whether Mr. Barr is the right choice to lead the Justice Department at this time with this president when there are currently several active investigations that implicate this president, his campaign, his advisors and/or his inner circle," she said. "The answer for me and the judiciary Democrats is no."

But Republicans hailed Barr's confirmation.

"I’m confident he will be a strong, independent, and principled advocate for fairness and for following the law," Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Twitter.