U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) issued a statement on Thursday after Loretta Lynch’s confirmation as the new U.S. attorney general.
“With her background as a career prosecutor, Loretta Lynch is qualified to help turn the page on this disappointing chapter of the department’s history,” Hatch said. “During her confirmation hearings, she committed to be independent of political pressures and help restore a cooperative relationship with Congress. Her record of honorable service gives no reason to doubt her integrity when considering these commitments.
“While Ms. Lynch expressed some legal views with which I strongly disagree, she should not be held to a different standard than previous nominees,” Hatch said. “I look forward to working with Ms. Lynch and will hold her accountable to the high standards incumbent upon the attorney general.”
Hatch, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has participated in the confirmation of 11 previous attorneys general, including seven Republicans and four Democrats.
He was one of 10 Republicans to support Lynch’s confirmation. He said Lynch would make an excellent replacement for embattled Attorney General Eric Holder.
“She appears to be a very top-flight person,” Hatch said.