Washington: The US Senate confirmed Jeff Sessions as attorney general, despite fierce debate about his civil rights record and Democratic concern over whether he serves as the nation’s top law enforcement officer independent from President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers green-lighted the senator as the 84th US attorney general on a mostly party line vote of 52 to 47, with one Democrat, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, voting with the Republican majority.
When the tally was announced, many senators broke into extended applause for their colleague. Trump has harangued Democrats for slow-walking his nominees, blasting their unprecedented obstruction as a “disgrace.”
He appeared particularly angered by the delay on Sessions, who as attorney general would wield enormous power regarding the administration of justice, including on the issue of voting rights. “Congratulations to our new attorney general,” Trump tweeted after the vote.
Sessions, widely seen as an inspiration for Trump’s anti-immigration policies, is just the sixth of 15 cabinet members to be confirmed, in addition to the cabinet-rank positions of CIA director and US ambassador to the United Nations.
He takes charge of the Justice Department and its 113,000 employees. The genteel Sessionswas an early loyal Trump supporter who became a pivotal figure in his campaign and transition team.
After his confirmation he sought to assuage concerns about how he would run the department. “I fully understand the august responsibilities of that office,” he said.
