Barr raised to Trump pick for AG
Spokeswoman at State nominee for Haley’s U.N. position
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump inched closer to his longteased major White House shake-up Friday, gearing up for the twin challenges of battling for re-election and dealing with Democrats once they take control of the House.
Trump announced he was picking a new U.S. attorney general and a new ambassador to the United Nations, and at the same time two senior aides departed the White House to beef up his 2020 campaign.
More changes were still to come. According to nearly a dozen current and former administration officials and outside confidants, Trump is nearly ready to replace Chief of Staff John Kelly and has even begun telling people to contact the man long viewed as his likely successor.
“Give Nick a call,” Trump has instructed people, referring to Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Nick Ayers, according to one person familiar with the discussions.
Kelly was not at the White House on Friday but was expected to attend an East Room dinner with the president and senior staffers.
Trump announced Friday that he’ll nominate William Barr, who served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush, to the same role in his administration. Trump called Barr “one of the most respected jurists in the country.” “During his tenure, he demonstrated an unwavering adherence to the rule of law,” Trump said. “There’s no one more capable or qualified for this role.”
Confirmation hearings are unlikely before January, when Republicans will have a 53-47 majority. The next chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called the pick an “outstanding decision” and pledged to do everything in his power to quickly push the nomination through the committee and onto the Senate floor for confirmation.
Trump also announced that State