why attorney general jeff sessions was fired

How long did it take Trump to sack Jeff Sessions?

I n an act of unusual forbearance, Donald Trump waited a full 12 hours after the end of the midterm elections to sack Jeff Sessions. Clearly the president had been itching to get rid of Sessions for months. No matter that Sessions had been one of Trump’s earliest and most vocal supporters, endorsing him when no other Republican senator was willing to embrace the untethered reality TV star as a serious political force. But the early bromance quickly soured, and for most of his unhappy tenure at the helm of the justice department, Sessions became one of Trump’s favorite targets of ritualistic humiliation.

Who took over the Russia investigation?

In recusing himself, the attorney general took control of the Russia inquiry out of the hands of a Trump loyalist, and handed it to Rod Rosenstein, where it remained until today. Sessions placed loyalty to his office above fealty to his chief, the same sin that got James Comey axed.

Who was the first Trump supporter?

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions was one of the earliest supporters of President Donald Trump, but over time their relationship became strained.

Did Rosenstein handle the Russia investigation?

While Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will no longer oversee the Russia investigation, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions privately believed that Rosenstein has handled the investigation properly after it was dropped “right in his lap,” according to a source familiar with Sessions’ thinking.

Who is the acting attorney general?

Acting attorney general says he's committed to "leading a fair department". Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker says he is committed to "leading a fair department with the highest ethical standards.". In a statement tonight, Whitaker also called departing AG Jeff Sessions a “man of integrity.”.

Did Jeff Sessions stay in the White House?

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions wanted to try to stay until the end of the week, but White House Chief of Staff John Kelly told him no. Kelly was very firm it had to be today, according to administration officials.

Who was fired from the Trump administration?

WASHINGTON — President Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday, replacing him with a loyalist who has echoed the president’s complaints about the special counsel investigation into Russia’s election interference and will now take charge of the inquiry.

Did Jeff Sessions resign?

After a roller-coaster tenure as attorney general, Jeff Sessions was forced to resign. He’s been on the president’s hit list ever since he recused himself from the Russia investigation shortly after taking office. “I should not be involved investigating a campaign I had a role in.”. As recently as August, Trump went after Sessions, ...

Why did Sessions recuse himself from the Justice Department?

Sessions recused himself from overseeing the Justice Department investigation in March 2017, after revelations that he had failed to report encounters with Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak of Russia during the 2016 campaign.

Who is the new chairman of the House Intelligence Committee?

Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, who could become the new chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said that any interference with the Mueller investigation “would cause a constitutional crisis and undermine the rule of law.”.

Why did Trump oust Sessions?

Even though Sessions was one of Trump's earliest supporters, the president has been laser-focused on targeting Sessions, going as far as to appearing to completely disassociate Sessions with the administration.

What does it mean for the Russia investigation and Robert Mueller?

Sessions' ouster immediately moves oversight of the ongoing investigation to interim successor Whitaker, who once called for the inquiry to be dramatically scaled back.

Who is interim AG Matthew Whitaker?

Whitaker, a former football player in Iowa who rose there to become a federal prosecutor and chief of staff at the Justice Department, had been considered for a variety of jobs in the Trump administration.

How did Sessions take the news?

In a resignation letter sent to the president, Sessions thanked Trump "for the opportunity" to be attorney general. He also listed what he considered his accomplishments during his tenure.

What are Democrats saying?

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed to protect Mueller, saying it would create a constitutional crisis if Session’s departure were a prelude to ending, or greatly limiting, Mueller’s investigation.