Garland Confirmed As Attorney General

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Judge Merrick Garland as the 86th attorney general (article available here).  Garland, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, will take the reins of the Justice Department.

The nominees for deputy attorney general and associate attorney general had their Senate hearings Tuesday. Lisa Monaco, who's in line to become second in command at Justice, won praise from Republican lawmakers. They had more pointed questions for civil rights lawyer Vanita Gupta, who would be the first woman of color to serve as associate AG.

Garland's confirmation as attorney general opens up a vacancy on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.