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Who is Doug Jones? All about Alabama Senator being considered by Joe Biden for Attorney General pick

People familiar with the search told CNN, the discussion in the transition team is about Judge Merrick Garland and Alabama's Sen Doug Jones. They are being perceived as the two most likely choices

The decision about who President-elect Joe Biden will pick as attorney general nominee has created a lot of buzz.  According to sources, as reported by CNN, it is a crucial decision right now because of possible investigations into President Donald Trump, a federal probe into Hunter Biden's business dealings and pressure from powerful external groups looking over the process.
 
People familiar with the search told CNN, the discussion in the transition team is about Judge Merrick Garland and Alabama's Sen. Doug Jones. They are being perceived as the two most likely choices. But a final decision is not expected until next week.

In the case of Garland, Biden's team has found him to be someone 'who is unimpeachable and politically independent' at a time when rebuilding trust in the Department of Justice is of great importance and a number of complicated political issues could land on the attorney general's desk. On the other hand, Jones has a strong civil rights background and is considered to be closer to Biden. However, that relationship could raise questions about his capability to impartially oversee a department that is actively investigating the incoming president's son. "Those are the competing questions," a person following the transition closely told CNN. "Someone perceived as above reproach or someone closer to Biden."

Sources told CNN that while Garland and Jones are currently being seen as the leading contenders, it's always possible that Biden will take a second look at former acting Attorney General Sally Yates or former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. 

Who is Doug Jones?

Bill Clinton nominated Doug Jones to be the US attorney for the Northern District of Alabama in September 1997. He was confirmed by a voice vote in the Senate two months later, reports ABC News. After his appointment, the federal government reopened its investigation into the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham. It was allegedly carried out by four KKK members, which killed four young African-American girls. Robert Chambliss, one of the suspects, was convicted of murder in 1977. But the case was reopened against two other suspects: Thomas Blanton and Bobby Cherry. Blanton was convicted in 2001 and Cherry was found guilty a year later. Jones was also involved in the prosecution of Eric Rudolph, whose 1998 alleged attack on a Birmingham abortion clinic killed an off-duty police officer. In 2005, Rudolph was convicted, after Jones left office.

Jones graduated from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Jones worked as staff counsel to the US Senate Judiciary Committee for Senator Howell Heflin. He assumed office on January 3, 2018 and his current term ends on January 3, 2021. Jones ran for a full term in 2020, but lost to Republican nominee Tommy Tuberville.

How social media reacted

The micro-blogging site users also weighed in on the news about a possible AG pick. One opined, “CNN reports the Attorney General decision is down to Merrick Garland and Doug Jones. Here's the issue for Biden, if Garland is selected and Democrats don't win both Senate races in Georgia, that seat will be lost on the D.C. Circuit Court. Jones is the logical choice.” Another stated, “Doug Jones has the ethics, competence, and experience to restore integrity and morale to DOJ. Also, would give AL the opportunity to make up for the disaster of Jeff Sessions.” A user shared, “I agree with Doug Jones. We can trust him; he’s a damn good prosecutor; and he has been in the Senate so has relationships there—less likely to face a confirmation fight. Republicans are itching to take down the AG pick—Jones would make it harder to justify& ultimately accomplish.”

These remarks were made by the internet and individual organizations, MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and nor does it support these claims being made on the Internet.