The Senate confirmed William Barr as attorney general on Thursday.
The vote was 54-45, primarily on a party-line basis with most Republicans backing President Donald Trump’s nominee and most Democrats opposed. Three senators, however, bucked their party including Republican Rand Paul voting against Barr and Democrats Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema voting in favor, notes the Hill.
Barr takes over a department that Trump has repeatedly criticized for special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. During his confirmation hearing, Barr promised that he would not interfere with the Mueller investigation, though Democrats weren’t happy that he did not commit to making it public.
This will be Barr’s second tour as attorney general, previously leading the Justice Department during the George H.W. Bush administration.
