President Donald Trump signed a law on Wednesday guaranteeing back pay to federal employees who have been furloughed or working without pay during the partial government shutdown.

So far, William Barr's comments have pointedly departed from Trump’s own views and underscored his efforts to reassure Democrats that he will not be a loyalist to the president.

Nominee William Barr is expected to be confirmed, unless there is a major surprise during the hearing. It would be his second stint as attorney general.

The administration is trying to peel off Democratic support for Trump's demand for border wall money and negotiate directly with centrist lawmakers and some newly elected freshmen, including those in districts where Trump is popular.

Leaving the White House for a trip to New Orleans, Trump said he had dismissed the proposal from Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham to reopen for several weeks and continue dealing with Democrats over Trump's long-promised wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.