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Mueller, a former acting deputy attorney general, has served in the administrations of former presidents Clinton and Bush

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush nominated Justice Department veteran Robert Mueller as the new director of the FBI.

"He assumes great responsibilities, he was chosen with great care, and he has my confidence," Bush said Thursday at a White House ceremony.

If confirmed by the Senate, Mueller will fill a 10-year term as the sixth director of the nation's top law enforcement agency. At the White House announcement, Mueller pledged to "enforce our nation's laws fairly and with respect to the rights of all Americans."

Mueller, 56, has Republican ties, but enjoys bipartisan support.

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He was appointed U.S. attorney for Northern California by Bill Clinton in 1998, on the recommendation of Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California. Earlier this year he served a brief stint as acting deputy attorney general under John Ashcroft until Larry Thompson was confirmed to the post.

He previously headed the homicide division at the U.S. attorney's office in Washington, D.C., and was chosen by the first Bush administration to run the Justice Department's Criminal Division.

There was some concern he wouldn't get the FBI job because he failed to warn Ashcroft early about the FBI's failure to turn over documents in Timothy McVeigh's Oklahoma City bombing case, but that was quickly discounted by Justice officials.

Justice sources also point out that Ashcroft and some of his senior aides supported Mueller's appointment over all others. And FBI officials tell CNN they are comfortable with Mueller and that he is well respected among the rank and file.

Prior to being appointed to the California U.S. attorney post, he worked from 1995 to 1998 in the U.S attorney's office in the District of Columbia, prosecuting homicide cases.

From 1993 to 1995, Mueller worked in private practice at the law firm of Hale & Dorr. From 1990 to 1993 he was assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division at the Justice Department. From 1988 to 1990 he was a partner in the law firm of Hill & Barlow in Boston.

From 1982 to 1987 he was with the U.S. attorney's office in Boston, where he became the U.S. attorney when William Weld left.

He served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, two Navy commendation medals and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Mueller is a native of New York City.