Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamGraham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Fox's Napolitano: Supreme Court confirmation hearings will be 'World War III of political battles' Grassley, Ernst pledge to 'evaluate' Trump's Supreme Court nominee MORE (R-S.C.) said Wednesday that President Trump is exhibiting "weakness" by trying to pressure Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE to quit, rather than using his authority to fire him from the top Justice Department role.

"The president is trying to not use his power. He's trying to get Sessions to quit, and I hope Sessions doesn't quit. If the president wants to fire him, fire him," Graham told reporter Manu Raju on CNN's "Newsroom."

Asked if he believes the president is "demonstrating weakness" by taking this approach, Graham responded, "Absolutely."

ADVERTISEMENT

"I think anybody who is strong would use the power they have and be confident in their decision," the Republican lawmaker said.

"Strong people say, 'I've decided that this man or woman can't serve me well and I'm going to act accordingly and take the consequences.' To me, weakness is when you play around the edges and you don't use the power you have."

Trump has repeatedly attacked the attorney general over the past week for recusing himself from the ongoing investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, calling his decision earlier this year "unfair."

The president's blistering and belittling remarks of a top official serving within his administration has fueled buzz of whether Trump will ask Sessions to resign or if he is publicly venting his frustration.

Different news outlets have also been reporting that Trump has floated the names of Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE (R-Texas) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) as potential contenders for the spot, though both have denied being considered.