who was presidents trump attorney general before jeff sessions

What happened between Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions?

May 26, 2020 · Matthew George Whitaker (born October 29, 1969) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the acting United States Attorney General from November 7, 2018, to February 14, 2019. Matthew Whitaker. Leader. Jesse Panuccio. Attorney General.

Who was the Attorney General when Trump took office?

Nov 07, 2018 · U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Attorney General Jeff Sessions (R) attend a panel discussion on an opioid and drug abuse in the Roosevelt Room of the White House March 29, 2017 in Washington, DC.

How many law school professors oppose Jeff Sessions as Attorney General?

May 30, 2018 · May 30, 2018 / 7:26 AM / CBS San Francisco. (CNN) -- President Donald Trump said Wednesday he regretted choosing Jeff Sessions as attorney general, a continuation of the President's frustrations ...

When did Jeff Sessions become a federal judge?

Nov 08, 2018 · President Donald Trump shakes the hand of Jeff Sessions after he was sworn in as the new U.S. Attorney General in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 9, 2017.

Who was the Attorney General when Trump was in office?

Who was the previous Attorney General?

Who was the first female Attorney General of the United States?

Who is the new us Attorney General?

Who is the attorney general who resigned?

William Barr, a former U.S. Attorney General in the George H. W. Bush administration, was nominated to reprise his former role as the permanent replacement for Sessions. He was confirmed by the Senate in February 2019 by a 54–45 vote. Barr announced that he would resign as attorney general on December 14, 2020, which came into effect on December 23, 2020.

Who was the Treasury Secretary in 2016?

Trump announced the selection of investment banker Steve Mnuchin as Secretary of the Treasury on November 30, 2016. The New York Times noted that Mnuchin's selection was surprising, since Trump had attacked the banking industry and Goldman Sachs during the campaign. Mnuchin is the third Goldman alumnus to serve as treasury secretary.

When did Trump dismiss Tillerson?

On March 13, 2018, Trump dismissed Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State, and announced his nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to the office. Pompeo was confirmed by the Senate on April 26 in a 57–42 vote and was sworn in later that day. He served until the end of Trump's term, on January 20 2021.

When did Donald Trump become president?

Donald Trump assumed office as President of the United States on January 20, 2017, and his term ended on January 20, 2021. The President has the authority to nominate members of his Cabinet to the United States Senate for confirmation under the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution . Before confirmation and during congressional ...

What was Trump's first act as president?

One of Donald Trump's first acts as president was the approval of Mattis's waiver to become Secretary of Defense. After being confirmed by the Senate on the evening of January 20, 2017, by a vote of 98–1, Mattis was sworn in by Vice President Pence on the same evening.

Why are cabinet members not able to take office?

Despite being nominated promptly during the transition period, most cabinet members were unable to take office on Inauguration Day because of delays in the formal confirmation process. By February 8, 2017, President Trump had fewer cabinet nominees confirmed than any prior president two weeks into his mandate, except George Washington. Part of the lateness was ascribed to opposition by Senate Democrats and part to delays in submitting background-check paperwork. The final initial Cabinet member to take office, Robert Lighthizer, took office as U.S. Trade Representative on May 11, 2017, more than four months after his nomination.

Who is the only cabinet member to be elected to the position and who does not serve at the pleasure of the President?

The Vice President is the only cabinet member to be elected to the position and who does not serve at the pleasure of the President. There were dozens of potential running mates for Trump who received media speculation. Trump's eventual pick of Governor Mike Pence of Indiana was officially announced on July 16, 2016, and confirmed by acclamation via parliamentary procedure amongst delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016.

Why did Trump nominate Sessions?

Trump would later state in an August 22, 2018 interview with Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt that the only reason he nominated Sessions was because Sessions was an original supporter during his presidential campaign. The nomination engendered support and opposition from various groups and individuals. He was introduced by Senator Susan Collins from Maine who said, "He's a decent individual with a strong commitment to the rule of law. He's a leader of integrity. I think the attacks against him are not well founded and are unfair." More than 1,400 law school professors wrote a letter urging the Senate to reject the nomination. A group of black pastors rallied in support of Sessions in advance of his confirmation hearing; his nomination was supported by Gerald A. Reynolds, an African American former chairman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Six NAACP activists, including NAACP President Cornell William Brooks, were arrested at a January 2017 sit-in protesting the nomination.

When was Sessions elected?

Sessions was elected Attorney General of Alabama in November 1994, unseating incumbent Democrat Jimmy Evans with 57% of the vote. The harsh criticism he had received from Senator Edward Kennedy, who called him a "throw-back to a shameful era" and a "disgrace", was considered to have won him the support of Alabama conservatives.

Did Sessions resign?

Trump often hinted he wanted to fire Sessions, perhaps after the November 2018 elections. Sessions told associates he did not intend to resign, but on November 7, 2018, he submitted a letter of resignation to Chief of Staff John Kelly at President Trump's request.

When did Sessions announce he intended to review consent decrees in which local law enforcement agencies had agreed to Department oversight?

On April 3, 2017 , Sessions announced that he intended to review consent decrees in which local law enforcement agencies had agreed to Department oversight. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar then denied Sessions's request to delay a new consent decree with the Baltimore Police Department.

What did Sessions say about sanctuary cities?

On March 27, 2017, Sessions told reporters that sanctuary cities failing to comply with policies of the Trump administration would lose federal funding, and cited the shooting of Kathryn Steinle as an example of an illegal immigrant committing a heinous crime.

Why did Sessions ask Congress to repeal the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment?

In a May 2017 letter, Sessions personally asked congressional leaders to repeal the Rohrabacher–Farr amendment so that the Justice Department could prosecute providers of medical marijuana. The Rohrabacher–Farr amendment is a 2014 measure that bars the Justice Department from using federal funds to prevent states "from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana". Sessions wrote in the letter that "I believe it would be unwise for Congress to restrict the discretion of the Department to fund particular prosecutions, particularly in the midst of an historic drug epidemic and potentially long-term uptick in violent crime." John Hudak of the Brookings Institution criticized the letter, stating that it was a "scare tactic" that "should make everyone openly question whether candidate Trump's rhetoric and the White House's words on his support for medical marijuana was actually a lie to the American public on an issue that garners broad, bipartisan support."

What did Sessions do in 1996?

In 1996, Sessions promoted state legislation in Alabama that sought to punish a second drug trafficking conviction, including for dealing marijuana, with a mandatory minimum death sentence. Sessions's views on drugs and crime have since softened.

What did Whitaker say about Sessions?

Whitaker in a statement called Sessions as a dedicated public servant and said he is committed to leading the Justice Department with the "highest ethical standards.". "It is a true honor that the President has confidence in my ability to lead the Department of Justice as Acting Attorney General. I am committed to leading a fair Department with ...

Who was the Special Counsel for Russia?

Rosenstein soon appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller to oversee the Russia probe, angering the president. Win McNamee/Getty Images.

Who is the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee?

15, 2017. Rep. Jerry Nadler , the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, also called for accountability.

When will Trump appoint an attorney general?

Most feasibly – and most alarmingly to his opponents – Trump may be able to appoint anyone he chooses as attorney general until January 2019 once the Senate breaks for its summer recess next month. The US president is empowered under the constitution to “fill up all vacancies” during the recess.

Did Sessions meet with Russian ambassador?

It was, moreover, politically necessary, following the explosive revelation a day earlier that Sessions had in fact met with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, during the campaign, before falsely telling senators under oath that he’d had no contact with Russian officials. Pressure on Sessions was mounting.

Who was the deputy attorney general of Russia?

To the dismay of the White House, the deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein – overseeing the Russia saga in lieu of Sessions – proceeded to appoint Robert Mueller, a formidable former FBI director, ...

Who appointed Robert Mueller?

To the dismay of the White House, the deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein – overseeing the Russia saga in lieu of Sessions – proceeded to appoint Robert Mueller, a formidable former FBI director, as a special counsel in charge of the inquiry. Over the past week, Trump’s anger has boiled over. The president was furious at media reports ...

Is Rosenstein a Democrat?

The president in effect accused Rosenstein – a Republican who comes from Pennsylvania – of being a closet Democrat from Baltimore, where Rosenstein once served as US attorney for Maryland. Trump would no doubt like to replace Sessions with a new loyalist, such as the former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

Overview

Attorney General of the United States (2017–2018)

Early life and early career

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama (1981–1993)

Failed nomination for federal trial court judgeship (1986)

Alabama attorney general (1995–1997)

U.S. Senate (1997–2017)

U.S. Senate campaign (2020)