The US:President George Bush has nominated Michael Mukasey, a retired federal judge who has tried a number of high-profile terrorism cases, to succeed Alberto Gonzales as attorney general.
In choosing Mr Mukasey (66), who spent 18 years as a judge in New York, the president may have avoided a confirmation battle with Senate Democrats, who have spoken warmly of the choice.
Mr Bush has exposed himself to criticism from conservatives, however, some of whom question Mr Mukasey's anti-abortion credentials, while others are disappointed that the job has not gone to one of their own ideological soulmates.
"With Mike Mukasey, the justice department will be in the hands of a great lawyer and an accomplished public servant," Mr Bush said yesterday.
As a judge, Mr Mukasey presided over the trial of Omar Abdel-Rahman, the Egyptian Muslim cleric and 11 co-defendants, who were charged with plotting to destroy a number of New York city landmarks.
Although he has generally ruled in favour of the administration in terrorism cases, Mr Mukasey broke with them in one important ruling, saying that American citizen Jose Padilla had a right to a lawyer, regardless of his status as an "enemy combatant".
Democratic senator Charles Schumer, who led the drive to force Mr Gonzales out over the controversial firing of nine federal prosecutors, said Mr Mukasey had the potential to win bipartisan support.
"While he is certainly conservative, Judge Mukasey seems to be the kind of nominee who would put the rule of law first and show independence from the White House.
"For sure, we'd want to ascertain his approach on such important and sensitive issues as wiretapping and the appointment of US attorneys, but he's a lot better than some of the other names mentioned," he said.
Democrats and Republicans have described the justice department under Mr Gonzales as dysfunctional, and a number of senior positions remain vacant after a series of resignations.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell challenged Democrats to act swiftly on Mr Mukasey's nomination, rather than holding it hostage in their fight with the White House over documents relating to the firing scandal and to a domestic surveillance programme.
