Trump’s New Pick for Attorney General, and a Surprise Turn in U.S. Drug Deaths

President Trump recently announced his pick for the next Attorney General of the United States, William Barr. Barr previously served as Attorney General under President George H.W. Bush from 1991 to 1993. His nomination comes after Trump’s previous pick, Jeff Sessions, resigned from the position under pressure from the President.

Barr’s nomination has sparked mixed reactions from both Republicans and Democrats. Supporters of Barr praise his previous experience as Attorney General and believe he will bring stability to the Department of Justice. They also believe he will work to uphold the rule of law and protect the interests of the American people.

However, critics of Barr are concerned about his views on executive power and his past support for controversial policies, such as the mass incarceration of non-violent drug offenders. They worry that he may not be willing to stand up to President Trump if he attempts to interfere with the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

In other news, there has been a surprising turn in U.S. drug deaths. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths in the United States have declined for the first time in nearly three decades. The number of drug overdose deaths dropped by 5.1% in 2018, marking the first decrease since 1990.

Experts attribute this decline to a number of factors, including increased access to addiction treatment programs, the distribution of the overdose-reversal drug naloxone, and efforts to crack down on the illicit opioid supply. However, they caution that the opioid epidemic is far from over and that more needs to be done to address the underlying issues driving addiction and overdose deaths.

Overall, the nomination of William Barr as Attorney General and the surprising decrease in drug deaths are both significant developments that will have a lasting impact on the United States. It remains to be seen how Barr will navigate the challenges of his new role and whether the decrease in drug deaths will continue in the years to come.