US:A divided US Senate confirmed retired judge Michael Mukasey as attorney general on Thursday, setting aside concerns he might support interrogation methods decried worldwide as torture.
On a largely party-line vote of 53-40 that saw Democrats oppose Mr Mukasey because he refused to declare simulated drowning unlawful, the Senate approved his nomination to succeed Alberto Gonzales, who resigned under pressure in September as the country's chief law enforcement officer.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell brushed off the criticism of the nominee, declaring, "tonight, a clear bipartisan majority of the US Senate voted to confirm Judge Mukasey because he is one of the most qualified candidates ever nominated to the position of attorney general." President Bush thanked the Senate for confirming Mr Mukasey as the 81st US attorney general.
"Judge Mukasey is a man of strong character and integrity, with exceptional legal judgment. He was an accomplished prosecutor and, for more than 18 years, a distinguished federal judge. Now he will be an outstanding attorney general," Mr Bush said in a statement.
Mr Mukasey (66) initially drew broad support in the Senate.
Lawmakers hailed him as a fair and independent-minded nominee and predicted he would restore public confidence in the Justice Department following Mr Gonzales's stormy tenure.
But Mr Mukasey ran into trouble at his confirmation hearing last month. He told the Senate Judiciary Committee torture violated the US Constitution, but testified he did not know if waterboarding, a widely denounced interrogation method that involves simulated drowning, was unlawful.
In a follow-up letter, Mr Mukasey said he considered waterboarding "repugnant". But he said he could not rule on its legality until he reviewed confidential US interrogation techniques.
"Judge Mukasey's answer to the waterboarding question was important in itself, but it also raised for me serious doubts about whether he is prepared to be the truly independent voice that the Justice Department so desperately needs," said Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid.
"If he cannot stand up to the president on a question of such profound importance with a clear legal answer, how can we be sure that he would be more than just another mouthpiece for an administration that treasures secrecy and loyalty above all?" Mr Reid asked.
Critics at home and abroad have accused the US of torturing suspects in the war on terrorism. The CIA reportedly used waterboarding while questioning at least three high-level detainees after the September 11th, 2001, attacks.