U.S. Sen. Doug Jones on Thursday confirmed he will support Donald Trump‘s attorney general nominee, William Barr. Jones is the first Democrat to do so.
“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,” Jones explained in a statement.
In a series of tweets, Jones explained his decision-making process.
“Barr assured me of his commitment to protecting civil rights, including the vigorous enforcement of voting rights protections,” Jones tweeted.
Barr, 68, served as attorney general from 1991 to 1993 under the late President George H.W. Bush. The Senate Judiciary Committee narrowly advanced his nomination on Thursday along a party line vote. It now moves to the full Senate for consideration. He is expected to be confirmed.
Read all of Jones’ tweets on his decision to support Barr below:
“I have spent nearly two months examining Mr. Barr’s record, watching his hearings, and listening to & considering the input of my constituents & leaders in the justice community. I have spoken with Mr. Barr and asked him some tough questions of my own.”
I have spent nearly two months examining Mr. Barr’s record, watching his hearings, and listening to & considering the input of my constituents & leaders in the justice community. I have spoken with Mr. Barr and asked him some tough questions of my own.
— Doug Jones (@SenDougJones) February 7, 2019
“As a former US Attorney, I believe the most important responsibility of an AG l is to uphold the rule of law & to do so w/a commitment to transparency & independence. We live in deeply divided times, but it is in precisely this environment that these principles are critical.”
As a former US Attorney, I believe the most important responsibility of an AG l is to uphold the rule of law & to do so w/a commitment to transparency & independence. We live in deeply divided times, but it is in precisely this environment that these principles are critical.
— Doug Jones (@SenDougJones) February 7, 2019
“Some have expressed concerns about Mr. Barr’s views of executive power, which frankly are much more expansive than my own. In his hearing & in my conversation w/him, he reiterated that he believes no one — including the President of the United States — is above the law.”
Some have expressed concerns about Mr. Barr’s views of executive power, which frankly are much more expansive than my own. In his hearing & in my conversation w/him, he reiterated that he believes no one — including the President of the United States — is above the law.
— Doug Jones (@SenDougJones) February 7, 2019
“Finally, in my conversation w/ Mr. Barr, I stressed how important the DoJ’s civil rights functions are to me & the people of Alabama. Mr. Barr assured me of his commitment to protecting civil rights, including the vigorous enforcement of voting rights protections.”
Finally, in my conversation w/ Mr. Barr, I stressed how important the DoJ’s civil rights functions are to me & the people of Alabama. Mr. Barr assured me of his commitment to protecting civil rights, including the vigorous enforcement of voting rights protections.
— Doug Jones (@SenDougJones) February 7, 2019
“After thorough consideration, I have concluded that Mr. Barr is qualified for the position & his record strongly suggests he will exercise independent judgment & uphold the best interests of the DoJ. I will vote to confirm Mr. Barr as AG of the United States.”
After thorough consideration, I have concluded that Mr. Barr is qualified for the position & his record strongly suggests he will exercise independent judgment & uphold the best interests of the DoJ. I will vote to confirm Mr. Barr as AG of the United States.
— Doug Jones (@SenDougJones) February 7, 2019
