The Republican-led U.S. Senate has just confirmed William Barr to become President Trump’s Attorney General. Barr, considered highly controversial for his views thst the President should have nearly unlimited powers, refused to promise he will allow the Mueller report on Russia’s attack on U.S. elections to be released. The Attorney General decides if a special counsel’s report is released, and if so, to whom, and to what degree.
The final vote was 54-45. Three Democrats crossed the aisle to vote for Barr: Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Joe Manchin (D-WV). Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to vote no.
Barr, who had served as AG under President George H.W. Bush, also refused to promise he would obey the advice of Justice Dept. ethics experts, specifically on whether or not he should recuse himself from overseeing the Mueller investigation.
Barr is also highly controversial given his extremist religious and anti-LGBT positions.
LGBT civil rights organization Lambda Legal issued this statement:
This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.
RELATED STORIES:
WATCH: ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE WILLIAM BARR SAYS SELF CONTROL COMES FROM ‘RELIGIOUS VALUES’
‘I MAKE THE DECISION’: BARR SAYS HE WILL NOT COMMIT TO RECUSING HIMSELF FROM MUELLER INVESTIGATION
This article has been updated to reflect the final vote totals and breakdown.