Trump Appoints William Barr, Former Bush Team Member, Minister of Justice

US President Donald Trump on Friday named Justice Minister William Barr, a Republican lawyer who served in the early 1990s under President George H. W. Bush.

He will replace Jeff Sessions, whom the president fired brutally in November, raising fears of a resumption of control of the highly sensitive Russian investigation.

"He is respected by Republicans and Democrats," said Trump. "He is one of the most respected jurists in the country and one of the best legal minds," he later tweeted.

The appointment of William Barr, 68, has yet to be confirmed by a Senate vote, in accordance with the Constitution. Given the parliamentary recess, it is unlikely that he will take office until next year.