Attorney General succession - Google ethics complaint - Chinese cotton sanctioned

[The move to appoint a special counsel to investigate the handling of the Russia probe], which U.S. Attorney General William Barr detailed to The Associated Press on Tuesday, could lead to heated confirmation hearings for President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee, who hasn’t been announced. Senate Republicans will likely use that forum to extract a pledge from the pick to commit to an independent investigation.
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Barr’s decision could influence whom the president-elect puts forth as a nominee for attorney general. One leading candidate, Sally Yates, was already viewed skeptically by some Trump-aligned Republicans for her role in the early days of the Russia investigation. Some Black Democrats are attempting to elevate former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, who is Black and led the Justice Department’s civil rights division under President Bill Clinton, in discussions about potential attorneys general.
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Barr elevated U.S. Attorney John Durham to special counsel as Trump continues to propel his claims that the Russia investigation that shadowed his presidency was a “witch hunt.” The maneuvering over the special counsel is especially significant because it saddles Democrats with an investigation that they’ve derided as tainted. A special counsel can only be dismissed for cause.