WASHINGTON, (Millat + APP/AFP) – The US Senate
confirmed Jeff Sessions as attorney general Wednesday, 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 greenlighted 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.