PREVIEW - US Attorney General Nominee Barr Set To Testify Before Congress Amid Dem Resistance

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th January, 2019) US Attorney General Nominee William Barr will appear at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

The first day of hearing for Barr, who is selected by President Donald Trump to replace former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is schedule to begin at 9.30 a.m. EST (2:30 p.m. GMT).

The testimony will take place amid an ongoing investigation into Russia's alleged role in the US 2016 presidential election and scrutiny over the independence of the Department of Justice in this probe.

In prepared remarks released on Monday, Barr said he would allow Special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete the investigation without any interference. The nominee stressed this approach would be in the best interest of the President, the public, and the Congress. He added the results of Mueller's work should be made public.

Barr promised to provide transparency in the probe and make decisions consistent with the law of the United States.

"I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political, or other improper interests influence my decision," Barr said in the prepared remarks.

Although Barr has experience in leading the Justice Department during the administration of George H.W. Bush, his nomination has come under scrutiny of Democratic lawmakers and right groups.

For instance, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the Judiciary Committee on Monday that Barr has supported mass incarceration policies, promoted the policy of detaining thousands of Haitians, and showed hostility against LGBT individuals.

The rights group added Barr has expressed critical views of the Russia investigation, which could be a signal that Trump may influence his nominee and eventually undermine the integrity of the Special Prosecutor.

"US Senators should scrutinize his record and question him to determine whether his views on key issues have changed in a meaningful way," the rights group said in the release.

Lawmakers also shared their uncertainty over Barr's ability to oversee Mueller's investigation impartially. Senator Dick Durbin said in an interview to ABC news on Sunday that Barr is a good lawyer, but he would need to provide the Judiciary Committee with "rock-bottom assurances in terms of his independence and his willingness to step back and let Mueller finish his job."

Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff signaled that his mind was already made up about Barr. In a Monday message on Twitter, Schiff called on Senate colleagues to vote no on Barr's nomination.

President Donald Trump continues to back Barr since the day he announced the nomination in December. The president told reporters Barr was his number one choice for this position because he is more than qualified for this role. Trump expressed confidence Barr would lead the Department of Justice with distinction and predicted his pick would be supported by members of both parties.

Russian officials have repeatedly denied allegations of interfering in US elections. Moscow has characterized the charges as absurd lies fabricated and propagated by US media and lawmakers to demonize Russia and to serve domestic political agendas.