The Senate voted 54 to 45, largely along party lines. Barr has won praise from lawmakers in both parties for his expertise and grasp of the workings of the Justice Department, which he would head.
During his first confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 15, Barr was repeatedly questioned about his position regarding the Mueller probe. The hearing came about a month after Trump first announced Barr’s nomination.
Barr has praised the integrity of special counsel Robert Mueller, while at the same time committing to finding out whether the FBI’s Russia investigation, which Mueller eventually took over, was conducted appropriately.
“I’m in a position to be independent,” Barr said, noting that, at the age of 68, he is ready to “do the right thing and not really care” what it may cost him in a political sense. “I will not be bullied into doing anything I think is wrong.”
During his first confirmation hearing, Barr addressed how some of his positions were portrayed in the media, particularly regarding the Mueller probe.
He said that in contrast to reports by legacy media, he took issue with the probe on only two points: Mueller should have had a greater balance of political leanings on his team (most of the team donated to Democrats), and the Mueller team was incorrect in considering a potential obstruction of justice case against Trump.
Year after Parkland Massacre, 17 Victims Remembered
Hundreds of thousands of students and adults across Florida and beyond observed a moment of silence Thursday, Feb. 14, to mark the anniversary of the shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that left 17 people dead.The massacre on Feb. 14, 2018, inflamed the national debate over guns, turned young people into political activists and gave rise to some of the biggest youth demonstrations since the Vietnam era.
A moment of silence was observed at 10:17 a.m. instead of that the time of the shooting, which actually began around 2:20 p.m. School officials picked a different time because Stoneman Douglas students were being dismissed early to avoid being on campus at the hour of the attack. The decision to hold it at 10:17 a.m. was made in honor of the 17 slain.
Many Stoneman Douglas students arrived wearing the burgundy #MSDStrong T-shirts that have become an emblem of the tragedy. Outside, clear plastic figurines of angels were erected for each of the 14 students and three staff members killed.
“I want to show respect to what happened,” freshman Matthew Sabia said. “The students who were here are probably sad and don’t want to think too much about it. We don’t really talk about it.”
Many Stoneman Douglas students skipped school. For some it was too emotional; others did not want to be in the spotlight.
Hundreds of wedding dresses given away to veterans and military families, in Camden County, New Jersey, Feb. 13, 2019 (image via Fox News)More than five hundred wedding dresses, veils, and every accessory you can think of were donated, free of charge, to military veterans and their families the day before Valentine’s Day in Camden, New Jersey.
The freeholder board of Camden County, Bill Moen, says the dress giveaway is just a small thank you for their service and commitment.
Moen said: “I hope that these women walk away with an understanding how much Camden county appreciates whether it’s their service or their families service to our country.”
They sacrifice themselves for our freedom, and its a fitting salute and a show of love for our servicemen and women.
