Trump´s attorney general pick is confirmed

Trump´s attorney general pick is confirmed

The US Senate has voted 54-45 confirming President Donald Trump's attorney general pick William Barr to serve in the role for a second time.

Nearly every Republican and three Democrats voted to confirm Mr Barr, who will head the politically independent US Justice Department.

As the nation's top law official, Mr Barr will oversee the special counsel's Russia investigation.

Democrats were angered by his previous criticism of the Russia inquiry.

Mr Barr, 68, previously held the attorney general title from 1991 to 1993 under Republican President George H W Bush. He was a proponent of mass incarceration and similar tough-on-crime policies.

The well-known conservative lawyer had been working at the Kirkland & Ellis law firm in Washington DC prior to his nomination. He has also held posts at Verizon Communications, the CIA and in former President Ronald Reagan's White House.