Trump Fires Attorney General Jeff Sessions

On Wednesday, Jeff Sessions was forced to step as Attorney General. The resignation came at Trump’s request and concluded Sessions’ bitter relationship with the president after the former decided to recuse himself from the Russian investigation in March 2017.

In his resignation letter, Sessions remained positive and simply stated that he was “honored to serve as Attorney General.”

“We have operated with integrity and have lawfully and aggressively advanced the policy agenda of this administration,” he wrote.

Trump’s tweet also left out any unpleasant interaction. “We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well!” he tweeted.

Matthew G. Whitaker, Session’s chief of staff, would become the acting Attorney General. He would also oversee the Russian probe given that he could pass a standard review process. Since Sessions removed himself from the Russian investigation, Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein has been in charge of the case. Even though his relationship with Trump is also characterized by bitterness and hostility, at this moment there is no evidence on his potential removal from his post.

Sessions’ resignation does not come as a surprise. Ever since Trump’s election, the president has been attempting to exert influence on supposedly neutral agencies, especially the FBI.

In May 2017, Trump dismissed former FBI Director James Comey under the pretense of Comey’s wrongful dealing of the Hillary Clinton email controversy. The real reason behind Comey’s removal, however, was the pressure he exerted on Trump as a result of the Russian investigation. Trump also claimed that Comey had been “grandstanding and politicizing” the investigation. The firing would allow Trump to freely engage Russia without fear of any repercussion.

Trump also publicly shamed Rod Rosenstein after the latter secretly recorded the president and talked about invoking the 25th Amendment with other FBI officials.

“I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director!” Trump tweeted, referring to Rosenstein. “Witch Hunt,” he added.

Democrats were not pleased with Sessions’ removal. They issued statements on Wednesday accusing Trump of interfering with the special counsel.

“Congress must now investigate the real reason for this termination, confirm that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker is recused from all aspects of the Special Counsel’s probe, and ensure that the Department of Justice safeguards the integrity of the Mueller investigation,” said Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md).

Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va) echoed Cummings’ statement: “No one is above the law and any effort to interfere with the Special Counsel’s investigation would be a gross abuse of power by the President. While the President may have the authority to replace the Attorney General, this must not be the first step in an attempt to impede, obstruct or end the Mueller investigation.”

Sessions is expected to remain in his position until the end of the week. He has cancelled meetings to say goodbye to his staff.

Featured image via Gage Skidmore/Flickr