US President George W Bush has nominated retired federal judge and law-and-order conservative Michael Mukasey to replace embattled Alberto Gonzales as his attorney general.
The appointment of Mr Mukasey (66) drew quick praise from Democrats and Republicans alike, likely avoiding a bruising confirmation battle on Capitol Hill. Mr Gonzales, a longtime Bush loyalist, was criticised at home and abroad for the administration's tough anti-terrorism policies.
Mr Gonzales resigned last month after a controversy over the firings of nine federal prosecutors.
Mr Mukasey, considered a law-and-order conservative and authority on national security issues, emerged as Mr Bush's choice after Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid vowed last week to block another potential top nominee, former US solicitor general Theodore Olson, as too partisan.
Democratic Senator Charles Schumer, who led the drive to force Mr Gonzales out, said Mr Mukasey had the potential to become a consensus nominee.
"While he is certainly conservative, Judge Mukasey seems to be the kind of nominee who would put rule of law first and show independence from the White House," said Mr Schumer.
While on the federal bench in New York for nearly two decades, Mr Mukasey presided over a number of high-profile cases, including one in which a dozen people were linked to the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.