Sessions: 1 year as AG

It's been one year since former Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions was confirmed as U.S. Attorney General. What a wild ride it has been...

Don't Edit

Sessions confirmed

Jeff Sessions, the Republican Junior Senator from Alabama and key ally of Donald Trump during his successful presidential campaign, was confirmed as U.S. Attorney General on Feb. 8, 2017. The confirmation split along party lines, with only one Democrat - West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin - crossed the aisle to support Sessions. The final vote was 52-47. Sessions, a Mobile native, was the first Alabamian to be named U.S. Attorney General. As Attorney General, he falls seventh in line in the order of presidential succession.

Don't Edit

Contentious hearing

Sessions' confirmation came after contentious hearings that found the former Alabama Senator defending himself against charges of racism and collusion with the Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign.

At the time, Sessions told Senators:

"I was your colleague in this body for 20 years, and the suggestion that I participated in any collusion or that I was aware of any collusion with the Russian government to hurt this country, which I have served with honor for over 35 years, or to undermine the integrity of our democratic process, is an appalling and detestable lie."

Don't Edit

The woman who laughed

During Sessions' confirmation hearing, several protesters with Code Pink were escorted out of the hall for disrupting the proceedings. One of the protesters, Desiree Fairooz, was arrested and charged with disrupting the proceedings, including, among other things, laughing out loud. She was later convicted of the charges, though a D.C. federal court overturned the conviction.

Don't Edit

Lies?

One of Sessions' chief critics was Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn. Franken said Sessions wasn't truthful when he answered Senate questions about Russian involvement in the election.

"I think that he did not answer truthfully under oath," Franken said, responding to reports that there may have been a third conversation between Sessions and Russian ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

SNL vs. Sessions

AG Sessions has been a favorite target of Saturday Night Live. Cast member Kate McKinnon appeared several times as Sessions, poking fun at the former Alabama Senator.

Don't Edit

Franken vs. Sessions

SNL also took on Sessions vs. Franken. By the end of the year, Franken himself was under fire, facing allegations of sexual misconduct. He later resigned from the Senate.

Don't Edit

Sessions' recusal

In March, Sessions recused himself from the investigation into Russian interference in the election, clearing the way for a special prosecutor. He maintained his meetings with any Russians had nothing to do with his involvement in the Trump campaign.

"Let me be clear: I never had meetings with Russian operatives or Russian intermediaries about the Trump campaign, and the idea that I was part of a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries from the Russian government are totally false," he said.

Don't Edit

So why aren't the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2017

Trump turns

By July, the once strong relationship between President Trump and Jeff Sessions had soured.

Don't Edit

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2017

Trump says Sessions 'weak'

Trump went on to refer to Sessions as "weak" in his handling of investigations into Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

'Hurtful'

Sessions later said Trump's comments were "hurtful."

"The President of the United States is a strong leader," Sessions said. "He has had a lot of criticisms and he's steadfastly determined to get his job done, and he wants all of us to do our jobs and that's what I intend to do."

Sessions conceded, however, that the comments from the president are "kind of hurtful."

Don't Edit

Resign or not resign?

Trump reportedly humiliated Sessions by calling him an "idiot" and accusing him of "disloyalty" shortly after Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation, leading the attorney general to offer his resignation during the summer. Sessions later said he would continue to serve as long as he felt he could contribute.

Don't Edit

After many years of LEAKS going on in Washington, it is great to see the A.G. taking action! For National Security, the tougher the better! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2017

Mending fences?

By August, the relationship between Trump and Sessions seemed to have thawed.

Don't Edit

Other Justice Department work

In non-Trump news, Sessions has waged a battle against marijuana users. The Justice Department rescinding the Obama-era policy that had paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across the country. Sessions will instead let federal prosecutors where pot is legal decide how aggressively to enforce federal marijuana laws.

Don't Edit

Sessions' war on weed

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Immigration

The Justice Department is also cracking down on so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions, threatening to subpoena 23 states, cities and other localities which have policies the department suspects might be unlawfully interfering with immigration enforcement. Sessions remains one of Trump's strongest supporters when it comes to immigration reforms.

Don't Edit

Sessions: Soldiering on

A year after confirmation, Jeff Sessions is vowing to soldier on.

From a recent interview:

"Sessions will soon mark his first year on the job, having survived a barrage of insults from Trump, antipathy from some Justice Department employees and even calls from some fellow Republicans for him to resign. Last week, America's top law enforcement officer was himself questioned as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible obstruction of justice and Trump campaign ties to Russian meddling in the 2016 election."