Trump Nominates William Barr as U.S. Attorney General

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, introduced William Barr as the Attorney General of the United States on Friday, December 7. Speaking to reporters, Trump stated that Barr is respected by both major parties, Republicans and Democrats. Barr served as Attorney General from 1991 to 1993 under President George H.W. Bush. The U.S. Senate must confirm Barr as Attorney General. Last month, Jeff Sessions, the former Attorney General, resigned from his position at the request of the President. Three Democratic senators challenged Trump's decision to appoint an acting Attorney General. Sessions, who had a fragile relationship with the President over the past year, recused himself from investigations related to the alleged 'collusion' of Trump's campaign with Russia, which angered the President. After Sessions' dismissal, Trump appointed his deputy, Matthew Whitaker, as acting head of the Justice Department on November 7, a move that drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Trump, who denies any collusion between his campaign and Russia, has repeatedly criticized Sessions regarding the investigations and questioned why he entrusted the leadership of the Justice Department to him. Trump also announced that Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, would be appointed as the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Nauert's appointment also requires Senate confirmation. The 48-year-old will replace Nikki Haley, who announced her resignation from the position earlier this year. Nauert was appointed as the White House spokesperson last year and previously worked at Fox News.