Doug Jones Announces Support of AG Nominee Bill Barr

WASHINGTON, DC - Alabama Senator Doug Jones announced that he will vote to confirm Pres. Donald Trump's nominee for United States Attorney General, Bill Barr. Jones issued a statement Thursday supporting Barr.

Jones was criticized by constituents for his refusal to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, but has thus far in his short tenure in Washington developed a reputation for working across party lines to introduce legislation.

“I have spent nearly two months examining Mr. Barr’s record. I watched his hearings last month, during which he answered difficult but important questions from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle," Jones said. "I have listened to and considered the concerns of my constituents and leaders in the justice community. I have also spoken personally with Mr. Barr and asked him some tough questions of my own, informed by my own experience as a U.S. Attorney. After thorough consideration, I have concluded that Mr. Barr is qualified for the position of Attorney General and his record strongly suggests he will exercise independent judgment and uphold the best interests of the Department of Justice. Should the Judiciary Committee move forward with his nomination, I will vote to confirm Mr. Barr as Attorney General of the United States."

(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

Jones said he has listened to concerns over Barr's views of executive power, which critics say could place the Special Counsel’s investigation into the Trump administration in jeopardy.

"However, during his confirmation hearing last month, Mr. Barr said that nothing could be more destructive to the rule of law than tolerating political interference in applying the law," Jones said. "Mr. Barr said that the rule of law is what enables us to ensure that justice is not arbitrary; that laws must be universally applied, including to our highest officials. In my own conversation with Mr. Barr, he reiterated that no one, including the President of the United States, is above the law."

Jones said Barr assured him that he would "tolerate no level of interference with the investigation and reaffirmed unequivocally his commitment to the Justice Department’s independence."

Jones added, "I fully support making the Special Counsel’s reports available to the public and will support legislation to that effect, Mr. Barr’s position is grounded in current Department of Justice policy. Given my background with the Department of Justice, my personal view is that it would be inappropriate for any Attorney General nominee to commit to releasing a report in its entirety without knowing its contents, especially when portions of it may contain sensitive intelligence and national security issues. That said, Mr. Barr has stated unequivocally to both the Judiciary Committee and to me that he believes there is a strong public interest in being as transparent as possible with the results of the Special Counsel’s investigation, and I take him at his word."

Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images