Dem senator: I will not be supporting William Barr's nomination

Dem senator: I will not be supporting William Barr's nomination
© Stefani Reynolds

Sen. Maggie HassanMargaret (Maggie) HassanSenate Democrats demand answers on migrant child trafficking during pandemic Hillicon Valley: Feds warn hackers targeting critical infrastructure | Twitter exploring subscription service | Bill would give DHS cyber agency subpoena power Senate-passed defense spending bill includes clause giving DHS cyber agency subpoena power MORE (D-N.H.) said Monday she will not vote to confirm President TrumpDonald John TrumpDHS to label white supremacists as the 'most persistent and lethal threat' to the US: report Buttigieg slams Trump over comments on fallen soldiers: 'He must think we're all suckers' White House tells federal agencies to cancel 'divisive' racial sensitivity training: report MORE's pick for attorney general, William Barr, citing his views on executive power and the special counsel's investigation.

"I have continued to be concerned with Mr. Barr’s very broad view of executive authority, especially given that we are still in the middle of the Mueller investigation," Hassan said on CNN, referring to special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE.

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"As I listened to his testimony he really wasn’t committing to allowing Mr. Mueller to follow the facts wherever they lead, and he has a very broad view of executive privilege, which makes me believe he is conflicted and compromised here," she continued. "So I won’t be supporting his nomination."

Hassan joins a handful of other Democratic senators who have already said they will oppose Barr's nomination. 

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerCompanies developing COVID-19 vaccines planning to issue joint safety pledge: report Schumer calls for accountability in Daniel Prude death in Rochester Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (D-N.Y.) and others have expressed concerns, citing Barr's refusal in a private meeting to unequivocally say he won’t interfere with the Russia investigation and refusal to commit to releasing the special counsel’s report.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss Barr's nomination and other business, though it is unlikely that the panel will actually vote on Barr's nomination during the meeting. The nominee is expected to pass through committee, where Republicans hold a two-seat majority.

Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, meaning every Democratic senator, plus four GOP senators, would need to vote against Barr to sink his nomination.