Politics

Loretta Lynch Confirmed As Obama’s New Attorney General

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Loretta Lynch was confirmed Thursday by the Senate to serve as the country’s top law enforcement official, meaning Eric Holder’s tenure as attorney general is nearly over.

Once sworn in, Lynch will become the first black woman in America’s history to hold the post. (Holder, who became attorney general after President Obama was first inaugurated in 2009, is the first African-American to lead the Justice Department).

It’s been a long process to get a new attorney general: Holder announced his resignation in September, Obama nominated Lynch to the post in November, and the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed her nomination in February.

After weeks of holding up Lynch’s nomination before the full Senate because of the fight over a human trafficking bill, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell allowed a vote Thursday. The Senate confirmed her nomination 56-43.

A number of Republicans on Thursday opposed Lynch over her support for President Obama’s recent executive action on immigration.

“While her experience is extensive, both her judgment and independence were called into question by her expressed views on President Obama’s clearly unconstitutional actions on immigration, and this is something that cannot be overlooked when considering a nominee to be our nation’s chief law enforcement officer,” Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain said.

“I was unable to vote in favor of Ms. Lynch’s nomination because of her support for President Obama’s unlawful and unconstitutional executive amnesty,” Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue said. “The President’s actions exceed his authority to exercise prosecutorial discretion, and undermine the rule of law. I could not vote for an Attorney General nominee who supports those actions and would be responsible for their implementation at the Justice Department.”

Meanwhile, Holder praised his successor: “Loretta Lynch is a gifted attorney, a consummate professional, and a dedicated public servant. I am pleased that the United States Senate has recognized her clear qualifications and the need for her confirmation as Attorney General of the United States.”

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