It's time for AG Sessions to fire the corrupt Mueller and end the collusion delusion.
The decision whether to recuse oneself is guided by ethical law governing a lawyer's conduct. It is not a matter of discretion. It is a matter of law. For Mr. Trump to tell Mr. Sessions that he should not have recused himself is to dictate a decision that could cause Mr. Sessions to be disbarred. Mr. Trump knows nothing about legal ethics. But he treats Mr. Sessions' like a lackey to serve his own personal interests. Mr. Trump's conduct here is despicable.
16
Mr. Hillyer: I don't think "probity" means what you think it does. Sessions perjured himself in his confirmation hearings, repeatedly.
5
While the treatment of Mr. Sessions is on par with getting pants'd in the schoolyard (or your average Tuesday in the Trump administration), it's hard to get behind someone who hasn't joined the 20th century, much less the current one. We need the top law enforcement official of this country to actually respect and embrace diversity, to have the intelligence to dive into the gray areas and encourage smart enforcement.
8
This is rich:
"He believes (wrongly) that trade protectionism helps American workers. He backed Mr. Trump last year, despite concerns about Mr. Trump’s bombastic disregard for social norms to which Mr. Sessions himself adheres, because he saw Mr. Trump as a fellow believer who, for all his flaws, had the actual ability to achieve those ends."
The word: Collaborator.
Think all those collaborators are not seeking to "achieve those ends."?
Ladies and gentlemen, a fake conservative fake intellectual at work. A collaborator whose ends justify his means.
"He believes (wrongly) that trade protectionism helps American workers. He backed Mr. Trump last year, despite concerns about Mr. Trump’s bombastic disregard for social norms to which Mr. Sessions himself adheres, because he saw Mr. Trump as a fellow believer who, for all his flaws, had the actual ability to achieve those ends."
The word: Collaborator.
Think all those collaborators are not seeking to "achieve those ends."?
Ladies and gentlemen, a fake conservative fake intellectual at work. A collaborator whose ends justify his means.
5
For somebody who "insists on probity," he certainly has committed a lot of perjury, obstructed a lot of citizens' right to vote, and slashed at the right of a lot of minority people to the equal protection of our laws.
Sessions was forced to recuse himself because he was caught lying about his contacts with the Russians. That one act of dodgy decency is the only reason he's in any trouble with the loathsome person he has chosen to work for. He doesn't deserve to be fired for it, but then again, he didn't deserve to be Attorney General either.
All of these people are only varying shades of loathsome. Sessions only became a Senator for the same reason he was found unworthy of confirmation as a federal judge: his efforts to frustrate minority voting, while unpopular with the Senate, were popular with racist white voters in Alabama. These dogs will all eat dogs, and Sessions has nobody but himself to blame for lying down with them. He knew what the pack was like, and he shouldn't be surprised the Alpha has turned on him.
Sessions was forced to recuse himself because he was caught lying about his contacts with the Russians. That one act of dodgy decency is the only reason he's in any trouble with the loathsome person he has chosen to work for. He doesn't deserve to be fired for it, but then again, he didn't deserve to be Attorney General either.
All of these people are only varying shades of loathsome. Sessions only became a Senator for the same reason he was found unworthy of confirmation as a federal judge: his efforts to frustrate minority voting, while unpopular with the Senate, were popular with racist white voters in Alabama. These dogs will all eat dogs, and Sessions has nobody but himself to blame for lying down with them. He knew what the pack was like, and he shouldn't be surprised the Alpha has turned on him.
9
"For better or worse, Mr. Sessions sees the world in black-and-white ..." Wow, you really wrote that? Totally accurate with perhaps unintended irony regarding the nasty little racist little gnome who was rejected for a federal judgeship by his fellow Senators because of his unadorned racism was so blatant and obvious. "Black-and-white indeed.
10
Sessions may be an ignorant-sounding racist, and we haven't seen a lot of indication that he thinks on his feet all that well, but I lived long enough in Alabama to tell Trump that stepping on snakes down there is a real bad idea.
5
Trump has no friends. He only wants lackeys.
3
What "principles" are those, Mr. Hillyer. Racism? Bigotry? Political gain? Give me a break!
6
By managing to make Sessions look good, Trump is only reiterating just how awful he himself is
5
If you lie down with the Devil, you will wake up in hell. Welcome Jeff!
2
It's fascinating! So many of my fellow liberals are allowing their love of personal outrage, which is an extension of their egos wherein the kumbaya effect of gang outrage floats their collective mental boats, to derail their ability to judge the goodness/badness of Jeff Sessions. It's an example of technology (social media) overcoming every good thing in people that gives them well-reasoned ethics. And it's why Democrats will be going down in flames against mediocre Republicans for the foreseeable future. They can't discern right from wrong when personalities become involved. They couldn't see what a hack liar Clinton was, for instance.
The liberal agenda asks that something of each us be devoted to others. In order to accomplish this important request successfully, that agenda must own the moral, ethical and critical analysis high ground. When Liberals adopt outrage for it's own sake over fair treatment, they lose all traction for their cause and the Selfish Right Agenda wins elections.
This is what we see in comments here over Sessions. I'm as liberal as it gets, I know all about Sessions' mistakes in some cases in his past. Yet I know damn well from watching him for 30 years he's an honorable person, a "good cop" so to speak, one I rarely agree with. I lose nothing acknowledging this, because my ego does not depend on Liberal Outrage Kumbaya. Bitter unethical PC Liberals are ruining the Left.
The liberal agenda asks that something of each us be devoted to others. In order to accomplish this important request successfully, that agenda must own the moral, ethical and critical analysis high ground. When Liberals adopt outrage for it's own sake over fair treatment, they lose all traction for their cause and the Selfish Right Agenda wins elections.
This is what we see in comments here over Sessions. I'm as liberal as it gets, I know all about Sessions' mistakes in some cases in his past. Yet I know damn well from watching him for 30 years he's an honorable person, a "good cop" so to speak, one I rarely agree with. I lose nothing acknowledging this, because my ego does not depend on Liberal Outrage Kumbaya. Bitter unethical PC Liberals are ruining the Left.
3
Sessions made a Faustian bargain and now he's reaping the consequences. I've no sympathy for him.
3
I always turn to Mr. Hillyer's National Review Online when actual science fiction doesn't seem imaginative enough.
4
You sleep with dogs, you get fleas.
Lie down with Republicans, wake up disenfranchised.
2
"He believes (wrongly) that trade protectionism helps American workers. "
Actually, he is quite correct in that belief.
Actually, he is quite correct in that belief.
1
Does he revere the Constitution? I can't recall.
3
Wow. Excuse me while I gag. Did NRO turn into some sort of PR firm? Did Sessions commission this puff piece? It's like this was written with the possibility in mind that Trump himself would read it (he can't break his NYT habit, despite hating on it so much). Sessions's deep reverence for the law does not seem to have prevented him from committing perjury, nor to resign as AG when that perjury was exposed, although you can be sure that his reverence and staunch principles would have led him to call on a perjuring Democratic AG to step down. His understanding of the law is extreme and asymmetric in its application and capacity to harm various demographic groups in America, and is bent on dragging America back a century. I hope all Republicans who continue to fall into line for Trump see what's happening to Sessions and realize nothing, not even being one of the President's earliest, most vocal, enthusiastic supporters, will protect one from getting cruelly tossed under the bus.
9
It's more than a little funny how the Times and the rest of the Liberal MSM who engaged in the most disgraceful character assasination of Sessions when his nomination was announced, now can't say enough good things about him as part of their all-out war against the Trump admin.
1
This is a guest essay* from a rightwing online magazine editor trying to parse an internal GOP dispute among two creeps having a lover's spat. Read among these letters and you will see plenty of people disagreeing with the author's love for Sessions. It might take you some effort to challenge out of your glib assumptions.
* The NYT offers opinions from a spectrum of people and do not just give a narrow POV, unlike what rightwingers who don't read the NYT think
* The NYT offers opinions from a spectrum of people and do not just give a narrow POV, unlike what rightwingers who don't read the NYT think
7
Not true, Mark. He's a pathological homophobe and a world-renowned white supremacist. The fellow defending him here is one of yours. Surprise!
4
Sessions and Trump are both bigots. Sessions is enjoying his power to roll back individual rights for minorities and others in contact with the police. He wants to go back to the days of the big drug war and lengthy sentences for drug convictions. He wants to get the police the power to steal your property if they feel like it. I sure hope that Trump fires him before he does more damage. Sessions is distinguished from Trump in that Sessions is not insane as is Trump.
5
The only thing Sessions has "principled obeisance" to is his own recondite racism, homophobia and hatred of foreigners.
4
Wouldn't it be ironic if the first major Republican political figure to endorse Donald Trump was the central figure in the destruction of the Trump presidency? If Trump fires Jeff Sessions it's the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency. Sessions is extremely popular among Senate Republicans and his wife Mary, knitted Al Franken's grandson his favorite blankie. Did someone say Irony ? I abhor his positions on almost every political and legal issue, but view him as an anachronism whose extremist views reflect his rural Alabama upbringing of a half century ago. That is in a sharp contrast to the cynical, corrupt partisanship, of a Mitch McConnell, or a Ted Cruz.
4
Quin Hillyer's premise is that one can be a bigot, a racist and an individual of probity committed to the letter of the law. That is an oxymoronic presumption likely to carry weight only at Fox News and the National Review.
3
So, the Republicans red line in the sand is DT's assault on Jeff Sessions, one of their own. Isn't that just typical? Never mind Trump's assault on the Constitution, Executive branch, Human decency, the Truth, Ethical Behavior, our Country's Reputation, or the American people (to name but a few). What's it going to take to rid our country of this menace? Of course Pence is right in there with him, so is he any better?
5
Quin,
Probity? You mean like volunteering a lie rather than answering the benign question asked him during his confirmation hearing? His deceit also includes twice discussing Christian schools with the Russian Ambassador Kislyak, which was as believable a cover story as the three men and a baby-adoption lawyer story Donnie Jr. told us.
The "letter of the law?" You mean like his vowed war on marijuana dispensaries, because decades ago the Nixon administration put marijuana in the same league as the opioids killing Americans daily so as to harrass blacks--which Sessions also seems to enjoy?
Reveres the Constitution? I guess except when it comes to the government seizing property and assets without charges, see Bill of Rights. I suppose you believe letting the President violate the emoluments clause for his family's wealth can grow is very reverential.
Unfortunately, you seem to have the same blindspot as our GOP Congress. Sessions is a proven liar and a power-mad Putin-puppet, like Trump and the others Trump has appointed. I guess its all very banana Republican to think that way.
BTW: Did our GOP single-party Congress confirm Trump's latest Justice Dept. appointee, another one to have done work in Moscow recently?
Probity? You mean like volunteering a lie rather than answering the benign question asked him during his confirmation hearing? His deceit also includes twice discussing Christian schools with the Russian Ambassador Kislyak, which was as believable a cover story as the three men and a baby-adoption lawyer story Donnie Jr. told us.
The "letter of the law?" You mean like his vowed war on marijuana dispensaries, because decades ago the Nixon administration put marijuana in the same league as the opioids killing Americans daily so as to harrass blacks--which Sessions also seems to enjoy?
Reveres the Constitution? I guess except when it comes to the government seizing property and assets without charges, see Bill of Rights. I suppose you believe letting the President violate the emoluments clause for his family's wealth can grow is very reverential.
Unfortunately, you seem to have the same blindspot as our GOP Congress. Sessions is a proven liar and a power-mad Putin-puppet, like Trump and the others Trump has appointed. I guess its all very banana Republican to think that way.
BTW: Did our GOP single-party Congress confirm Trump's latest Justice Dept. appointee, another one to have done work in Moscow recently?
1
Oh, he's the right guy, just for the wrong reasons.
Why is the NYT colluding with the National Review - an entity that is
likely worse for American democracy than Putin's Russia?
likely worse for American democracy than Putin's Russia?
Probity and the letter of the law for white xian men
So ... a transparent racist also can be an otherwise great guy and a dedicated defender of law and order. I suppose I agree. But that one flaw is egregious enough that I still wouldn't invite him to a barbecue.
1
Sessions lied under oath. He is not fit to AG.
3
LYING. UNDER. OATH. That's grounds for firing in my opinion. I hate this guy and I don't believe he loves the Constitution. He's done his best to take away rights from untold numbers of people. I hope he does get fired. There need to be consequences.
1
Theme song for Mr. Sessions, "I've Got Low Friends in High Places....".
2
Oh, come on. Sessions is merely enjoying treatment by the Frankenstein monster he helped install. No reason to be surprised that the snake is biting Sessions. He knew Trump was a snake when Sessions gave Trump cover. So, let's don't get all mushy about a lack of professional courtesy between two snakes.
6
Sessions will more than deserve the worst that happens to him.
4
By all means lets give this pillar of the community who sees the world in "black and white" and now in gay versus straight a medal and a statue on the mall in DC. Sessions has created a lot of bad karma, its payback time.
5
Why so pissy? You don't get the big picture?
I can safely assume you are white and heterosexual and don't get it.
Early on, there was what purported to be an effort to identify the standards, precedent, and mechanisms for removing a President because of their incapacity. While such standards and precedent don't come close to providing a framework for seriously considering the question, the talk petered out. Unfortunately, the evidence that it's a real question in the case of Donald Trump has only expanded. I never thought he was a character that could be entrusted with a responsibility at the level of being a Boy Scout Troop leader; now, I would have a very hard time agreeing that he is even emotionally an adult. The man is an abusive, ultra-self-centered, reactionary child that seems to sincerely wonder why people hate him for 'Making America Great Again', when he has achieved less, and damaged more, in six months than any national leader I have ever learned about.
4
Ludicrous. He only recused himself when he was caught lying.
6
In this week's episode of "The Apprentice", Mr. Sessions, having survived the previous week's elimination round over Sean Spicer, comes to the realization that he has hitched his wagon to a star with no moral compass, no friends, and no awareness beyond a beautiful ego.
Stay tuned as fans of his boss help decide whether the moral compromises Mr. Sessions has made in the name of his so called convictions will make him the object of reality TV's most stinging episode finish: "You're Fired!"
Stay tuned as fans of his boss help decide whether the moral compromises Mr. Sessions has made in the name of his so called convictions will make him the object of reality TV's most stinging episode finish: "You're Fired!"
5
So, Sessions "so readily recused himself from the Russia investigation"? The same Sessions who was swon in weeks before his recusal and according to his sworn testimony never even enquired re: the DOJ investigation of potential Russian interference in the 2016 election? The same Sessions who has repeatedly given false testimony re: his contact with Russian goverment officials during the campaign? The same Sessions who submitted false documentation re: his security clearance process, which he has subsequently had to correct more than once? The same Sessions who recused himself only after caught lying about his unreported contacts with those same Russions?
Sounds like a rule of law guy to me...
Sounds like a rule of law guy to me...
3
He's all about the rule of law as it applies to someone else.
2
"For Mr. Sessions, fealty to the law trumps all." writes your contributor.
This is a simple lie.
Sessions, J. Beauregard Sessions, is an energetic proponent of whatever set of his vindictive, reactionary, and ignorant opinions he thinks he can pass off as law at any given moment.
He and Electoral College victor Donald Trump are made for each other.
That Trump does not see this is the clearest possible evidence of his, Trump's, unfitness for office. Any office. That it is obvious is the same proof for Mr Sessions.
This is a simple lie.
Sessions, J. Beauregard Sessions, is an energetic proponent of whatever set of his vindictive, reactionary, and ignorant opinions he thinks he can pass off as law at any given moment.
He and Electoral College victor Donald Trump are made for each other.
That Trump does not see this is the clearest possible evidence of his, Trump's, unfitness for office. Any office. That it is obvious is the same proof for Mr Sessions.
5
Sessions let his ego trump his principles - and hedged in answer to Sen. Frankin. He should be held to account for perjury. At the same time, he doesn't deserve to be publicly humiliated by the unprincipled, shameless buffoon in the white house - who should be held to account for dereliction of duty and failure to defend and protect the constitution if not treason.
4
Please, the idea that Sessions loves the Constitution is absurd. He didn't recuse himself for noble or legal reasons, he did it for the same reason Brer Fox won't venture into the briar patch.
5
Sessions is not only a racist but also a common criminal who perjured himself during his confirmation hearings. He debases his office and disgraces this country. He should never have been confirmed. Let's hear no more about his "probity" or "courage." He has neither.
6
Session has re-instituted the pernicious practice of civil forfeiture. It is theft. It bypasses due process and puts the burden on the victims. His "principles" are the self-righteousness of a guy with power sprinkled with legal holy water.
6
A lot of conservatives oppose forfeiture for these very reasons.
1
Trump would love for Sessions to resign because Trump would like to eliminate Justice - both the Department of Justice and the concept. Justice the concept is supposed to be uncorruptible. That's not a virtue in the current regime. As to the DOJ, once Sessions and Rosenstein are out, there'll be nobody to lead the place. Nobody new will want the job, or nobody will be proposed because there's no desire to have a DOJ, or be ause even the current Senate balks at approval of anyone the swampmasters in the White House come up with. Any remaining career attorneys in the department will realize they'd better not be the last ones out the door. DOJ will be the first executive department effectively dismantled, but not the last, unless there's regime change.
1
I can't pretend to know what thoughts do or don't enter Mr. Sessions's mind -- it's not clear if the writer is personally acquainted with the AG or not. Certainly his recent Senate testimony made him seem disingenuous at best. But when it comes to President* Trump I'd say it is abundantly clear by now that he has no principals (in the common use of the term) at all. What underlies his behavior is a toxic mix of vanity, hubris, ignorance, and malice. This has been apparent for a long time -- for decades before Mr. Sessions decided to hook his star to the Trump wagon. The long list of burned partners, unpaid vendors, ex-wives, and cheated customers make it hard to understand how any decent, law-abiding, principled person could have anything to do with him or support him in any way. One has to guess that otherwise intelligent people - a category to which Mr. Sessions presumably belongs -- who supported or agreed to work for Mr. Trump did so out of the optimistic notion that somehow it would be different for them. So I find it hard to feel sympathy for the AG. He thought he'd have free reign to undertake his own Paleolithic agenda under Trump, but he now finds that when you lie down with dogs you end up with fleas. Cue the world's smallest violin.
6
Amid negative comments about Sessions here, it must be noted that he has greater respect for the rule of law than Trump. Awright. Who doesn't, outside The Family? Whatever. "Westworld" seems as real as politics today.
The interesting news today is: no new tweets.
Trump has suppressed his twitter addiction at least once before. But how long can he go cold turkey? One day seems to be as much as he can handle. We'll see tomorrow morning. Can he be twitter-continent for two days running? Westwing soap opera To be continued.
Theme song: "Your Fault" from Sondheim's "Into the Woods."
The interesting news today is: no new tweets.
Trump has suppressed his twitter addiction at least once before. But how long can he go cold turkey? One day seems to be as much as he can handle. We'll see tomorrow morning. Can he be twitter-continent for two days running? Westwing soap opera To be continued.
Theme song: "Your Fault" from Sondheim's "Into the Woods."
1
So it turns out that, lulled into a place of complacency after 250 years of democracy, a very large portion of the American people don't know what a dictator looks like even when he is saturating all forms of media. Nor do they know why it's a problem to be ruled by one. What a hard lesson to learn, and what a bad time to learn it.
As for Jeff Sessions, this week's episode of the apprentice just shows once again that there is virtually no one who does not draw sympathy in relation to Trump. With the possible exception of Giuliani, and that we may soon find out . . .
As for Jeff Sessions, this week's episode of the apprentice just shows once again that there is virtually no one who does not draw sympathy in relation to Trump. With the possible exception of Giuliani, and that we may soon find out . . .
4
Left out of what Sessions also believes in: voter suppression schemes; marijuana use = opiate abuse; civil asset forfeiture should be expanded because it is not being abused; LGBT rights are unnecessary; Trump is the solution to America's problems; etc.
He made his bed; let him lie in it.
He made his bed; let him lie in it.
4
You live by the sword then you die by the sword. Sessions is a victim of his own hubris believing he could manage or tame Trump. Sessions rode a tiger to get into his job, and is suprised that the tiger has decided to bite him, too.
2
Trump and Sessions are both bigots. They are both unscrupulous. They are both liars.
However, Sessions is not utterly corrupt financially. Sessions is also not a total believer in "might makes right" countervailing all laws. Sessions wants to use laws as a means to keep women, "foreigners", non northern Europeans, LGBT... subservient and afraid. Trump wants to steal others money, assult their wives and daughters, and humiliate and abuse all who refuse to abjectly worship at his feet--laws or no laws.
There are differences between them, but my daughter's beagle-chihuahua mix puppy would do more good and less harm to the USA if he had either or both of their offices. ("There's a GOOD dog!")
However, Sessions is not utterly corrupt financially. Sessions is also not a total believer in "might makes right" countervailing all laws. Sessions wants to use laws as a means to keep women, "foreigners", non northern Europeans, LGBT... subservient and afraid. Trump wants to steal others money, assult their wives and daughters, and humiliate and abuse all who refuse to abjectly worship at his feet--laws or no laws.
There are differences between them, but my daughter's beagle-chihuahua mix puppy would do more good and less harm to the USA if he had either or both of their offices. ("There's a GOOD dog!")
3
At least Trump has experience of picking the wrong guy. To test his own credibility, he chose to go up again Jim Comey. Now he has made Sessions 'the good guy' which ranks up there with making W look wise.
1
Quin Giller makes some good points about Sessions.
He also puts too much lipstick on Sessions.
Session a Madisonian??? Madison would be aghast at pretrial asset forfeiture, which Sessions in the number one proponent of.
Sessions was turned down for his first federal judgeship because he profligately made racist remarks to Blacks. As a prosecutor he tried unsuccessfully to pervert his office to oppose voter registration of Blacks. The Constitution as amended forbids that sort of thing.
Politics is often the art of the least bad option. I would campaign powerfully for Trump if his main opponent was Stalin. So, I support Sessions where he is a bulwark against far worse. But there is no need to act as if he is better than he is.
He also puts too much lipstick on Sessions.
Session a Madisonian??? Madison would be aghast at pretrial asset forfeiture, which Sessions in the number one proponent of.
Sessions was turned down for his first federal judgeship because he profligately made racist remarks to Blacks. As a prosecutor he tried unsuccessfully to pervert his office to oppose voter registration of Blacks. The Constitution as amended forbids that sort of thing.
Politics is often the art of the least bad option. I would campaign powerfully for Trump if his main opponent was Stalin. So, I support Sessions where he is a bulwark against far worse. But there is no need to act as if he is better than he is.
3
Mr Hillyer,
You write: "He backed Mr. Trump last year, despite concerns about Mr. Trump’s bombastic disregard for social norms to which Mr. Sessions himself adheres, because he saw Mr. Trump as a fellow believer who, for all his flaws, had the actual ability to achieve those ends."
"Bombastic disregard for social norms" is hardly the worst of what we saw of Donald Trump from June 2016 until now. His pathological, narcissistic neediness, egregious treatment of suppliers, multiple bankruptcies, cavalier attitude towards the legal requirements of companies and foundations, compulsive lying, pubescent bragging about assaulting women, obvious distaste for any person of colour: all of these (and much more) are hardly "disregard for social norms", as if they amounted to no more than using the wrong fork or blowing one's nose in the napkin. These "flaws" (if illegal behaviour is a "flaw") were universally reported and well known to anyone with half a brain and access to the media for 18 months before his election. How anyone could have thought this man would achieve any ends other than his own self-interest, and honourably fulfil the duties of the presidency, is incomprehensible to me and all those who saw right through. It was blindingly obvious from Day 1 in June 2016 that Donald Trump would discredit and dishonour the presidency. If it wasn't clear to Jeff Sessions, honest and compliant though he may be, then he really is an atrociously poor judge of character.
You write: "He backed Mr. Trump last year, despite concerns about Mr. Trump’s bombastic disregard for social norms to which Mr. Sessions himself adheres, because he saw Mr. Trump as a fellow believer who, for all his flaws, had the actual ability to achieve those ends."
"Bombastic disregard for social norms" is hardly the worst of what we saw of Donald Trump from June 2016 until now. His pathological, narcissistic neediness, egregious treatment of suppliers, multiple bankruptcies, cavalier attitude towards the legal requirements of companies and foundations, compulsive lying, pubescent bragging about assaulting women, obvious distaste for any person of colour: all of these (and much more) are hardly "disregard for social norms", as if they amounted to no more than using the wrong fork or blowing one's nose in the napkin. These "flaws" (if illegal behaviour is a "flaw") were universally reported and well known to anyone with half a brain and access to the media for 18 months before his election. How anyone could have thought this man would achieve any ends other than his own self-interest, and honourably fulfil the duties of the presidency, is incomprehensible to me and all those who saw right through. It was blindingly obvious from Day 1 in June 2016 that Donald Trump would discredit and dishonour the presidency. If it wasn't clear to Jeff Sessions, honest and compliant though he may be, then he really is an atrociously poor judge of character.
2
Karma is coming for all who voted for Trump and all those who have not stood up to his insane behavior.
1
I still do not understand why Sessions was sent to El Salvador. Can someone please explain that to me? We have no business interests there, and it's not like he was escorting illegals back to San Salvador. Please enlighten me. It is a violent country, dangerous to its residents and tourists, yet very beautiful and spiritually strong.
1
Jeff Sessions' tenure as AG is the reminder Washington apparently needed that people who worked for the winning presidential campaign should never be nominated to run DOJ. The last one who made such a transition was John Mitchell, who was convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury for his crimes related to the Watergate scandal.
1
I stopped reading after your second paragraph. Given your flawed premise, there's no point in reading further.
Sessions lied during his confirmation hearing. He omitted material facts required as part of the confirmation process.
He may insist on probity and the letter of the law, but only for others.
Sessions lied during his confirmation hearing. He omitted material facts required as part of the confirmation process.
He may insist on probity and the letter of the law, but only for others.
18
ridgeguy, that's so funny - after reading "For Sessions, fealty to the law trumps all", I went to my phone and googled Quin Hillyer. Surprise surprise, he's a Republican from Alabama! And you're right in that everything else in the column is a ridiculous white-wash of Sessions' extremely racist past.
2
So, it was a no-brainer for Sessions to recuse himself.
"for him, this was a simple procedural question. In Senate testimony he accurately described the effective meaning of the regulation that governed his recusal: “Department employees should not participate in investigations of a campaign if they have served as a campaign adviser.”
It must have also been obvious to him early on that there would be an investigation of Russian interference in the election and that this investigation would involve members of the Trump campaign, such as himself.
Before his nomination, wouldn't there have been discussions between Trump and Sessions about the investigation? About how to react to it? And at that time, wouldn't Sessions have mentioned the no-brainer that he would have to recuse himself?
This all should have happened before Sessions nomination. And Trump would then have had to decide whether or not to nominate Sessions.
The only explanation is that neither of them made the obvious connections:
Sessions part of the campaign, Sessions meeting with the Russian ambassador, Russian investigation, Sessions needing to recuse himself.
Everything was there before the nomination.
"for him, this was a simple procedural question. In Senate testimony he accurately described the effective meaning of the regulation that governed his recusal: “Department employees should not participate in investigations of a campaign if they have served as a campaign adviser.”
It must have also been obvious to him early on that there would be an investigation of Russian interference in the election and that this investigation would involve members of the Trump campaign, such as himself.
Before his nomination, wouldn't there have been discussions between Trump and Sessions about the investigation? About how to react to it? And at that time, wouldn't Sessions have mentioned the no-brainer that he would have to recuse himself?
This all should have happened before Sessions nomination. And Trump would then have had to decide whether or not to nominate Sessions.
The only explanation is that neither of them made the obvious connections:
Sessions part of the campaign, Sessions meeting with the Russian ambassador, Russian investigation, Sessions needing to recuse himself.
Everything was there before the nomination.
5
How about if Sessions knew that he may be the only one to stand to Trump who's platform he agreed with and saw an opportunity to assist him to make it happen? It is within the realm of a clever and seasoned politician.
Not even remotely convinced by this.
Did you see the DOJ brief AGAINST protecting employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation?
There is no "letter of the law" reading of the majority opinion in Obergefell that could possibly justify Sessions's decision to take that position, only religious and/or partisan animus against gays.
Kennedy wrote in Obergefell: "An individual can invoke a right to constitutional protection when he or she is harmed, even if the broader public disagrees and even if the legislature refuses to act", for "fundamental rights may not be submitted to a vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections."
Did you see the DOJ brief AGAINST protecting employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation?
There is no "letter of the law" reading of the majority opinion in Obergefell that could possibly justify Sessions's decision to take that position, only religious and/or partisan animus against gays.
Kennedy wrote in Obergefell: "An individual can invoke a right to constitutional protection when he or she is harmed, even if the broader public disagrees and even if the legislature refuses to act", for "fundamental rights may not be submitted to a vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections."
24
None of those principles seemed to jog his memory just recently.
16
Sessions did not have to "collude" with the Russians to cooperate with them. He already agreed with them on most of the issues. His meetings with the Russians were to allow Kislyak and his associates the opportunity to size up Sessions and his willingness to cooperate with their goals. At it's political and philosophical core, the right wing of the Republican party has more in common with the Russians than most Americans.
On another note, when the Trump associates testify about "Russia" their word choices are very important. Saying they did not collude with "Russia" is a very specific word choice they are making. They did not "collude" with "Russia", they colluded with agents or minions of "Russia"...from anywhere in the world. "Russia" is the country.
On another note, when the Trump associates testify about "Russia" their word choices are very important. Saying they did not collude with "Russia" is a very specific word choice they are making. They did not "collude" with "Russia", they colluded with agents or minions of "Russia"...from anywhere in the world. "Russia" is the country.
14
It's impossible for this attorney, who began as a prosecutor, and became a Federal Appellate Attorney, to feel any sympathy for Sessions. The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice per 28 U.S.C. § 503. His purview is legal affairs, not political affairs. I found the author's statement remarkable: "If there’s one thing you need to know about Mr. Sessions, it’s that he reveres the Constitution, as he understands it." The last clause is meant to imply "good faith," but for Sessions it negates every word that comes before it, including "reveres" and "Constitution." To revere one must accept that the Justice Department cannot be used to advance the political agenda of the A.G. In Sessions the distinction between legal affairs and political affairs is entirely lost. His problem is not that he "sees the world in black-and-white, law-and-order terms," it’s that he denies the role and limits of his office. I gasped at the author arguing that "any fair-minded person must grant that unlike his boss, Mr. Sessions has the courage of his convictions. He believes illegal immigration hurts low-skilled American workers." What? Any fair-minded person understanding the Constitution knows the A.G. has the right to enforce immigration laws, but is misusing those laws, and the Constitution, when he prosecutes immigrants because he believes in doing so he is helping low-skilled American (meaning white) workers. That is a purely political position.
35
A stickler for the law, but forgot to mention in his sworn testimony that he met with the Russians. Spare me the Session's Saint act.
31
Gosh. I just finished this and wiped a tear from my eye for the Attorney General. Who knew?
9
Hillyer conveniently omits that Sessions only recused himself after the Washington Post reported that he had met with Kislyak and then lied to congress about it during his confirmation hearing. Saying that he "so readily recused himself" because "fealty to the law trumps all" is laughable.
29
"Hillyer conveniently omits that Sessions only recused himself after the Washington Post reported that he had met with Kislyak and then lied to congress about it during his confirmation hearing."
Crypto-fascists of a feather flock together, you know.
Crypto-fascists of a feather flock together, you know.
1
You say that Sessions reveres the Constitution, as he sees it. Mister, the Constitution was written by people (all men, of course) who OWNED human beings! They embodied in the Constitution that Negroes were worth three-fifths of a person. So, aside from the very important (and often disrespected) Bill of Rights, it makes sense that the racist Sessions would revere the Constitution. Get real, mister. It is meaningless to describe a narrow-minded horrible racist human being like Sessions in any way other than racist and narrow minded. He is also a liar. He lied to Congress. Most importantly, he is an evil hateful person and he should be regarded as such.
13
Sessions is more the leader of the republican party than Trump is. Hahahahaha!
As has been noted, Sessions was the first Senator to endorse Trump; a man who bragged on tape about being a serial sexual predator and has 5 children by 3 trophy wives, the second who he carried out an affair in public while still married to the first. If Sessions bar was that low on personal morality, I'm not sure I'm feeling too good about his "underlying principals".
22
Trump is picking on wrong "guys". How clever with a divide and conquer strategy. He lazerbeamed on Comey and took him out. Next Spicer. Now like Darth Vader in fighting jet zeroing on Sessions. Scaramucci has been added as the new General who bypasses the Chief of Staff and reports directly to Vader, I mean Trump. Next scene, Priebus levetating in air choking as Trump walks by new Chief of Staff Scaramucci saluting........
5
Sessions only recused himself after substantial pressure and because he could make it look like he was doing it because it was the right thing to do. He also knew that if Der Trumpf goes down, he can keep at a distance and get away untarnished. At least he's out of the Senate and can't go back, at least not until his replacement is at the end of their term.
7
Wait! I'm supposed to root for Jeff Sessions?
The man of integrity who recently approved the Justice Dept shutting down a Russian money laundering case involving the lawyer Natalya Vasalnatskaya?
THAT man of (questionable) integrity?
No, thanks...
The man of integrity who recently approved the Justice Dept shutting down a Russian money laundering case involving the lawyer Natalya Vasalnatskaya?
THAT man of (questionable) integrity?
No, thanks...
14
Goodness me.
So we're now into the apologizing-for-Jeff-Sessions-being-Jeff-Sessions mode?
Any educated adult with any sense of judgement took all of 15 minutes to understand that the Donald was an empty suit using red meat lines with no substance behind them during his presidential campaign. So at a minimum Jeff Sessions totally misjudged the guy who was running. What? He missed all the Atlantic City bankruptcies? The stiffed contractors? The over-the-top misogyny? The overt racism? The bevy of truly unsavory characters that hung around with Trump?
What exactly was it that made Sessions want to support this guy? His stance on illegal immigration? That's a rich one.
That Trump has turned on him like a viper looking for his next kill should come as no surprise.
Frankly, the two of them deserve one another. While I despair for the country where I grew up, I applaud the situation that both of these men now find themselves in. May the Sessions episode end poorly for both men.
For Sessions that a distinct possibility.
For the Donald that's a given.
So we're now into the apologizing-for-Jeff-Sessions-being-Jeff-Sessions mode?
Any educated adult with any sense of judgement took all of 15 minutes to understand that the Donald was an empty suit using red meat lines with no substance behind them during his presidential campaign. So at a minimum Jeff Sessions totally misjudged the guy who was running. What? He missed all the Atlantic City bankruptcies? The stiffed contractors? The over-the-top misogyny? The overt racism? The bevy of truly unsavory characters that hung around with Trump?
What exactly was it that made Sessions want to support this guy? His stance on illegal immigration? That's a rich one.
That Trump has turned on him like a viper looking for his next kill should come as no surprise.
Frankly, the two of them deserve one another. While I despair for the country where I grew up, I applaud the situation that both of these men now find themselves in. May the Sessions episode end poorly for both men.
For Sessions that a distinct possibility.
For the Donald that's a given.
18
How did you get to safety (and sanity), Expat? My regards to your PM.
"A man reaps what he sows."
5
Trump and Sessions both respect the law like termites respect wood. I hope they both end up in orange jumpsuits, nothing less than deserved.
18
Sessions is not as bad for America as Trump - who could be? - but he IS bad for America. Vehemently and aggressively an ultra-right zealot with utter contempt for fairness or even rationality, he is a mad-dog law and order lunatic and removing him as AG would be very could for the country. Yes, his removal might benefit Trump, too, but in the long run Trump will end up where he belongs, impeached, disgraced and back in NYC swindling people with fake "colleges," stiffing contractors and suing those too weak to fight back.
11
"Sessions is not as bad for America as Trump"
Ask an African American before you make a firm decision about that.
Ask an African American before you make a firm decision about that.
1
An interesting perspective for sure. But what I come back to are the two central sentences in this piece: "His former colleagues in the Senate made haste on Tuesday to defend him. They clearly are appalled by Mr. Trump’s one-way loyalty test."
Because that is part of the Trump ethic: I demand from you what I'm not willing to give in return. That isn't principle--it's despotism. It's also an expression of the "king can do no wrong because the king is the king."
Donald Trump is not a king. And Sessions, like him or leave him, is what he is, a legal literalist. The former is, in many regards, lawless. The latter a letter of the law kind of guy (except in cases of his own lawlessness in being truthful at his confirmation hearing about meeting with Russians).
But the question of "loyalty" shouldn't enter into this. Trump isn't seeking the kind of loyalty a normal cabinet appointee would have towards the goals of the administration. Trump's definition of total loyalty includes breaking the law to "protect" him--which is alien to Sessions' character.
Thank God. Because the last thing we need in government is a president who believes, as Trump surely does, that he is not only above the law, but insists that his "servants" ensure he stay that way.
For someone who ran to serve this nation, Trump displays total contempt for what that means.
Because that is part of the Trump ethic: I demand from you what I'm not willing to give in return. That isn't principle--it's despotism. It's also an expression of the "king can do no wrong because the king is the king."
Donald Trump is not a king. And Sessions, like him or leave him, is what he is, a legal literalist. The former is, in many regards, lawless. The latter a letter of the law kind of guy (except in cases of his own lawlessness in being truthful at his confirmation hearing about meeting with Russians).
But the question of "loyalty" shouldn't enter into this. Trump isn't seeking the kind of loyalty a normal cabinet appointee would have towards the goals of the administration. Trump's definition of total loyalty includes breaking the law to "protect" him--which is alien to Sessions' character.
Thank God. Because the last thing we need in government is a president who believes, as Trump surely does, that he is not only above the law, but insists that his "servants" ensure he stay that way.
For someone who ran to serve this nation, Trump displays total contempt for what that means.
6
Recently I read on a comment thread that Trump is confused about what appointing an Attorney General or any official means. Trump thinks the appointment itself confers the requirement of personal loyalty to the President in return.
Instead, the appointee, once confirmed by the Senate, must swear "that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
There is quite a difference!
Instead, the appointee, once confirmed by the Senate, must swear "that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
There is quite a difference!
3
Rather than continue to defend Mr. Sessions. who is indefensible in so many other ways, one should ask why the president feels he needs protection a loyal lackey in the Attorney General's position might offer?
As Mr. Frost once told us:
The questions dance around
in a circle and suppose. . .
The Answer sits in the middle and knows.
Mr. Trump knows what he fears and it must be substantial enough to allow him to risk looking like a narcissistic idiot and purposely stirring hornets nests. We need not get caught up in the irrationality of things like an attack on his own AG and focus on his finances and the likelihood that he has been deeply compromised by past, shady, money-laundering business deals.
As Mr. Frost once told us:
The questions dance around
in a circle and suppose. . .
The Answer sits in the middle and knows.
Mr. Trump knows what he fears and it must be substantial enough to allow him to risk looking like a narcissistic idiot and purposely stirring hornets nests. We need not get caught up in the irrationality of things like an attack on his own AG and focus on his finances and the likelihood that he has been deeply compromised by past, shady, money-laundering business deals.
4
Jeff Sessions deserves to be fired. Heck, he never should have been confirmed for his position with the DoJ in the first place. However, he should be canned not because of his "tiff" with Trump but because he lied to the Senate at his confirmation hearing.
WaPo and the NYT are so fixated on is being maligned by Trump right now that it appears there is little attention being paid to the fact that he needs to go regardless of the reason. He perjured himself. Mueller or no Special Investigation, he should be cleaning out his office for this reason alone never mind his failure to carry water for Trump.
WaPo and the NYT are so fixated on is being maligned by Trump right now that it appears there is little attention being paid to the fact that he needs to go regardless of the reason. He perjured himself. Mueller or no Special Investigation, he should be cleaning out his office for this reason alone never mind his failure to carry water for Trump.
8
Not a bad piece but it overlooks one critical piece of Trump's loyalty: his family. He sees his son and his daughter via his son-in-law in danger, a danger he created. The law be damned, the President is looking past Sessions in order to fire Mueller. He would like to spare his children from the consequences of the Law (and his betrayal to Putin and the Russians) but no matter, he'll pardon them all in the end if that is what it takes. He'll create a wilderness and call it peace. He'll destroy the venerable institutions of the United States and claim to have made us great again. This is not an American President presiding with justice over the entire People. This is a mob boss.
7
Mr. Sessions may well be all that Quin Hillyer says he is. What he is not, apparently, is a good judge of character. If so, he would not have cast his lot with Mr. Trump. Did he think he could ride the tiger? Somehow use the Trump presidency to advance his political agenda?
SAD
SAD
6
To say that Sessions insists on following the letter of the law is a stretch, throughout his career in public service he has twisted the letter of the law in pursuit of racist policies. He certainly doesn't respect the Constitution when it comes to the rights of minorities or the equal application of justice.
11
Good Grief! There is no way whatsoever that this AG or any AG has or ever will apply the law equally. For example, do I think for one second that black drug offenders will get the same fair treatment as white drug offenders with this AG. Of course not. Sessions is going to target non white collar crime, and especially crime in and around the lower economic classes. Look who he serves and the other cabinet members, they are all rich. No, Sessions is not going to target bankers, lawyers, politicians and the other power structure that afoul of the law. But, poor people that get stabbed with low level drug offenses, watch out, there's a new AG in town and he is looking to fill the prisons.
7
"...fellow believer who, for all his flaws, had the actual ability to achieve those ends." So along with all his flaws, Sessions believes the ends justify the means? How terribly dangerous that is as a philosophy for an Attorney General.
As I said before, I have no pity for Sessions. He decided to be a Trump supporter and he helped elect this dangerous man to the Presidency. He did a great disservice to the American people. He is also doing a great disservice to the American people by the policies he is bringing back to the Dept of Justice. I say good riddance.
As I said before, I have no pity for Sessions. He decided to be a Trump supporter and he helped elect this dangerous man to the Presidency. He did a great disservice to the American people. He is also doing a great disservice to the American people by the policies he is bringing back to the Dept of Justice. I say good riddance.
3
I despise Sessions' politics. I downright fear his politics, as well as get disgusted by them. And I also think he perjured himself when he lied to Congress about his Russia connections. He's committed a crime, and Sessions full well knows it (this explains his clear nervousness and anxiety when questioned about his Russia connections).
But I am heartened by Sessions reverence for the Constitution--establishing a commission to commemorate the 250th birthday for James Madison, and convening a symposium of Madisonian scholars, is something I would do if I were a senator. It sounds so quaintly charming.
And this is where we true upholders of the rule of law and the Constitution should be--no matter our politics, with a crisis like the Trump presidency we should start bridging our partisan chasms and opposing with all of our might the overreach of this petty tin-pot dictator in the making. Trump has no decency, no notion of political moderation and has no real idea of what the Constitution stands for.
Men and women of conscience should stand tall and strong against this greatest threat to our democracy and our republic.
But I am heartened by Sessions reverence for the Constitution--establishing a commission to commemorate the 250th birthday for James Madison, and convening a symposium of Madisonian scholars, is something I would do if I were a senator. It sounds so quaintly charming.
And this is where we true upholders of the rule of law and the Constitution should be--no matter our politics, with a crisis like the Trump presidency we should start bridging our partisan chasms and opposing with all of our might the overreach of this petty tin-pot dictator in the making. Trump has no decency, no notion of political moderation and has no real idea of what the Constitution stands for.
Men and women of conscience should stand tall and strong against this greatest threat to our democracy and our republic.
3
hmmm, I am not sure about this piece, what about Mr. Sessions's failing to recall his interactions with certain Russians during the campaign? In any event, I remain unconvinced - fealty only so far as it is convenient is what I think.
3
While the argument presented is that Sessions is a black and white guy, the case surrounding him is not so black and white. According to the author, Sessions signed on with Trump due to concordance on policy rather than any comfort with Trump the man. But this is my question - which applies to all Trump supporters who claim that they don't like Trump but agree with his policies - how do you make a deal with the Devil? It is an axiom that Lucifer's stock in trade is beguilement, par excellence. Satan will say anything he has to, promise whatever he must, in order to get you to sign on the dotted line so that he can get what he wants. At the end of the day, Sessions sold his soul (such as it was!). As did the countless millions of Americans who claimed to disdain Trump yet voted him in for his so-called economic and other policies. We reap what we sow.
3
I do not agree with most of Jeff Sessions' beliefs, political outlook and more. I do believe that he is sincere, loves this country and wants our Constitution protected and not abused. Therefore, I fully support him against this clueless malcontent in the White House. Senator, your parents didn't give you the middle name of Beauregard for nothing.
2
Does lying to the Senate about meetings with the Russian ambassador and then "forgetting" that they discussed policy equal probity?
Donald Trump does treat Sessions shabbily, but don't make the AG into a choir boy.
Donald Trump does treat Sessions shabbily, but don't make the AG into a choir boy.
3
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
1
Jess Sessions is not a hero. He is an ideologue of the worst kind. Let's not confuse the two here.
4
He LIED under oath. I beleive you give him way too much credit. ANY credit is too much.
1
Trump's trashing of Sessions should give pause to any of his potential successors. It is now quite clear. Trump expects loyalty but does not have the capacity to give it. Caveat emptor!!!
"similar positions on political issues" Seriously? The similarity lies in the fact that both of these pathetic excuses for men are mean spirited, lying bigots who enjoy hurting people.
2
I cringe as I read the author's defense of Sessions. He defies the law on a daily basis with his extreme, radical racism. What is the matter with the people of Alabama. Oh well. But Donald Trump is the most ignorant man I have ever come a cross. Absolutely ignorant. His way of life should have cancelled out his election win. I cannot believe so many Americans so so bigoted but a poll shows that is exactly why most people voted for him. He only understands lying, lying, fighting and no other way of life or negotiation. Why do we allow him to continue in office when everyone knows he is a demented human and will affect the lives of millions of Americans for the worse. I don't know know how his mind works but I wish some clever and extremely smart cartoonist could draw a cartoon of his brain. We all know how he got his money - aside from his father but the rest of bullied out of people most business associates. None come forward because they were made to sign a no tattling agreement and are afraid.
1
Jim Sessions has consistently and legalistically been implementing Jim Crow laws.
1
Let's see if Jeff Sessions shows we liberals something we can respect...something deep inside that he hasn't yet shown us. I will applaud him if he does.
As a law and order person myself who abhors death penalty, corporal punishment, excessive and unusual verbal or emotional punishment, I have mixed feelings about Sessions, but I do admire his ethical composure.
As for Trump, Karma is having Sessions as your A.G.; punishment is having Director Mueller dig into his past.
As for Trump, Karma is having Sessions as your A.G.; punishment is having Director Mueller dig into his past.
Any sympathy I might have had for Sessions - nobody should be bullied and humiliated in public - has quickly evaporated today.
1
Tough way for Sessions to learn that his judgment was way off when he decided to promote the Donald. Deals with the devil rarely go the way you think they will.
1
Sessions is no bastion of integrity and I have no sympathy for him. I only fear he'll be replaced by someone even worse who would create the ultimate kill-the-Russia-investigation circus and makes thing even worse
Mr. Sessions, a man of strong convictions, made the grave mistake of going to work for a man who has absolutely none.
1
Trump'a fans must be ambivalent, loyalty to the Democrat-Beater or to the Republic?
No. Absolutely NO sympathy here. He knew that Trump was a snake, when he picked him up. And now he wants treatment, for multiple bites??? I don't agree. Perhaps use Obamacare, while still available.
2
Time and again, Republican officials (the most recent, John McCain) have looked the other way and failed to follow their own supposedly existing moral compass in order to toe the party line and enable Trump. I suspect that should Sessions be removed, whether by actual termination or feigned resignation, all the saber rattling will cease once more. At most what might remain is the sentiment that there is no upside to affirmatively sticking one's neck out for an ungrateful president.
1
Poetic justice. Sessions deserves how he is being treated (and worse) for supporting a pathologically dishonest narcissist to be president.
1
Give me a break. Sessions was duplicitous at his confirmation hearing. This isn't fealty to the law. His support for Trump -- who engaged in race-baiting, winked at the idea of assassinating his rival, and spewed and endless supply of lies -- isn't probity.
No, Sessions, like Trump, is where he is today because he's an opportunist. That's really what the men have in common -- not visions of policy or politics.
No, Sessions, like Trump, is where he is today because he's an opportunist. That's really what the men have in common -- not visions of policy or politics.
2
Seriously, now we're supposed to feel sorry for "lock 'em up" Jeff Sessions?!
2
This article is so far off. Sessions is a principled individual ONLY in comparison to his boss. Otherwise, he is a craven coward who is a racist who roots for a vision of 1950s America before civil rights.
1
I can't stand Sessions, but if Trump fires him he should be impeached for obstruction of justice. Trump won't fire Sessions for lying to Congress and participating in the Russia mess and whatever laws were broken, but does want to fire Sessions for actually sticking to the law and recusing himself.
If you are willing to lie and break laws for Trump, you're hired!
If you follow the law and somehow hurt Trump (real or imagined) in the process, you're fired!
All adds up to Trump obstructing justice.
If you are willing to lie and break laws for Trump, you're hired!
If you follow the law and somehow hurt Trump (real or imagined) in the process, you're fired!
All adds up to Trump obstructing justice.
No, Sessions insists on spreading his racist, anti-immigrant, and now homophobic agenda like the zealot he is. He is only principled in the sense that he adheres to the principle of being relentlessly obsessed.
1
Where is the evidence for such claims as "He [Sessions] backed Mr. Trump last year...because he saw Mr. Trump as a fellow believer who, for his flaws, had the actual ability to achieve those ends"? The article offers scant support for its reverence of the attorney general. Sessions has ostensibly perjured himself multiple times throughout the past year, and I am not ready to grant him the respect of regarding him as a man for whom "fealty to the law trumps all." He is an opportunist at best, and a criminal at worst. He is simply finding out the "value" of our president's own loyalty to those around him.
I have no sympathy for Jeff Sessions in this regard, despite my distaste for Donald Trump. If fellow liberals all of a sudden begin to flock to his aid simply for the purpose of opposing the president, so be it. That in itself will serve us poorly, as well. I say let them wreck one another before the eyes of the public. It is not as if we should have been expecting anything more dignified in the first place.
I have no sympathy for Jeff Sessions in this regard, despite my distaste for Donald Trump. If fellow liberals all of a sudden begin to flock to his aid simply for the purpose of opposing the president, so be it. That in itself will serve us poorly, as well. I say let them wreck one another before the eyes of the public. It is not as if we should have been expecting anything more dignified in the first place.
2
As an Australian brought up with mostly American TV and movie content in the late 50's and 60's the statement "Truth, justice and the American way" still lingers in my memory along with black and white scenes of Superman and Buck Rogers fighting tyrants and restoring justice. It is how my perception of America was formed in my youth and what I believed your great country's moral ideals to be. I read the US news headlines daily and, unfortunately, I see your leader is becoming more the villain than the hero and I wonder if or when a Tarzan, Batman, Lone Ranger or even a Lassie will appear from left of screen and make America great again.
"He backed Mr. Trump last year, despite concerns about Mr. Trump’s bombastic disregard for social norms to which Mr. Sessions himself adheres, because he saw Mr. Trump as a fellow believer who, for all his flaws, had the actual ability to achieve those ends." Nonsense. Sessions' motivation was political ambition, extremely poor judgment, and complete disregard not just for "social norms" but the morality he claims to be his guide. These are not the errors you see from a man with stalwart convictions to his beliefs, they are the acts of an ideologue with no conscience. The fact that Sessions went along with all of this, and then lied about it, indicates that he is not a victim, or an innocent standbyer -- he's not even a passive accomplice. He's an active co-conspirator. And that's probably the main reason Trump is attacking him this way.
1
The National Review is backing Jeff Sessions over Donald Trump. Wow! Donald Trump is in deep trouble.
Sessions was intelligent enough to assign the special investigator to the Russia probe since he had insight into a potential conflict of interest. Shutting down Sessions does not end the Russian hacking probe since we now know that Deutsche Bank might be involved in money laundering, that meetings with Kushner, Manafort and Donnie, Jr. may have resulted in collusion against the America people and further...... did anyone notice that Trump's pageant in 2009 that Put in attended was also the year that Edward Snowden arrives in Russia for political asylum?
It's frankly shocking the Times would publish this piece as is, without noting that Sessions fought tooth and nail to avoid refusing himself, resisting it for weeks, and only did so when it was revealed that he had lied to Congress about his own meetings with Russian officials. Kind of undermines the author's assertions about Sessions's vaunted black-and-white adherence to principle, doesn't it?
2
how far we are fallen to imagine AG Sessions in an exalted light. however slight.
3
Oh please. This principled Attorney General lied -- what was it, twice, three times in his confirmation hearings? So let's not pretend his a man of stature. He should have been fired long ago. For that, not because Trump needs him out of the way.
9
Perhaps I lived too long in the South when I was a young man, but Sessions' opinions on several matters do not make him a dishonest or amoral man: he is just a traditional Southern Christian male.
Perhaps there are some scandals in his past that call into question his professional character or honesty--- but I'm unaware of them.
Certainly, progressives and conservatives disagree on many issues, key ones in fact, but it does no good to demonize folks. Sessions holds views that are popular Southern and conservative ones, reflecting their view of the bible and the Constitution. They're wrong, but that doesn't mean they're anti-American. Donald Trump, however, is the worst sort of man. He has no values, convictions, or rudder. The bottom line for his fortune, power, and ego are all that matter.
Perhaps there are some scandals in his past that call into question his professional character or honesty--- but I'm unaware of them.
Certainly, progressives and conservatives disagree on many issues, key ones in fact, but it does no good to demonize folks. Sessions holds views that are popular Southern and conservative ones, reflecting their view of the bible and the Constitution. They're wrong, but that doesn't mean they're anti-American. Donald Trump, however, is the worst sort of man. He has no values, convictions, or rudder. The bottom line for his fortune, power, and ego are all that matter.
5
You're right, Quin Hlllyer, I don't like Jeff Sessions' views. And you're also right that I don't like the way Donald Trump is treating him.
I do not defend Jeff Sessions the policy advocate. I do defend Jeff Sessions the office-holder.
I do not defend Jeff Sessions the policy advocate. I do defend Jeff Sessions the office-holder.
8
If Trump can push his hand picked AG into a "either you serve me or you don't" contest, imagine what pressure he must have put on Comey to back off of the Russia investigation.
Regarding Sessions' respect for the rule of law: Where was it last summer when he was on the stage, with Michael Flynn, gleefully leading the cries of "Lock her up," encouraging a lynchmob mentality to endanger the safety of a presidential candidate?
If Sessions is as smart as Hillyer claims him to be, then surely the AG knew exactly what Trump was about. His biggest failing was believing he would be exempt from #45's delusional rantings and (that "so-called judge" remark, for one) the president's obvious contempt for the rule of law.
I cringe for what the presiden't assualt on the AG's office symbolizes. As for Sessions, when you cut a Faustian deal you pay a hell of price.
Regarding Sessions' respect for the rule of law: Where was it last summer when he was on the stage, with Michael Flynn, gleefully leading the cries of "Lock her up," encouraging a lynchmob mentality to endanger the safety of a presidential candidate?
If Sessions is as smart as Hillyer claims him to be, then surely the AG knew exactly what Trump was about. His biggest failing was believing he would be exempt from #45's delusional rantings and (that "so-called judge" remark, for one) the president's obvious contempt for the rule of law.
I cringe for what the presiden't assualt on the AG's office symbolizes. As for Sessions, when you cut a Faustian deal you pay a hell of price.
20
Let's not forget that the senate voted down Reagan's appointment of Sessions to a federal judgeship on the grounds of his racist history. (He also has a less than stellar record on gay rights, stands on the wrong side of the costly and failed War on Drugs, etc.) The only reason Sessions elicits sympathy these days is because his Twittery "boss from hell" is struggling to decide -- in a most public and unprofessional manner -- whether 'tis nobler to fire him or to humiliate him into resigning.
We all know that if our own boss tweeted mercilessly about us being beleaguered, weak, and unfair to him/her, the appropriate HR mechanisms would kick in and the boss would be fired. Well, no such relief for Jeff Sessions. And to think, he vacated a secure senate seat for this indignity. But he's no angel. He made his Trumpy-lumpy bed, and now he has to lie in it.
We all know that if our own boss tweeted mercilessly about us being beleaguered, weak, and unfair to him/her, the appropriate HR mechanisms would kick in and the boss would be fired. Well, no such relief for Jeff Sessions. And to think, he vacated a secure senate seat for this indignity. But he's no angel. He made his Trumpy-lumpy bed, and now he has to lie in it.
20
"He backed Mr. Trump last year, despite concerns about Mr. Trump’s bombastic disregard for social norms to which Mr. Sessions himself adheres, because he saw Mr. Trump as a fellow believer who, for all his flaws, had the actual ability to achieve those ends."
Translation: Sessions made a Faustian bargain and now he is reaping what he sowed. His craven self-interest landed him in this well-deserved position revealing not only his poor judgement but also his willingness to trade his "principled obeisance to the rule of law" for power. Trump's character has been on vivid public display for decades. Sessions has only himself to blame.
Translation: Sessions made a Faustian bargain and now he is reaping what he sowed. His craven self-interest landed him in this well-deserved position revealing not only his poor judgement but also his willingness to trade his "principled obeisance to the rule of law" for power. Trump's character has been on vivid public display for decades. Sessions has only himself to blame.
12
When we're reduced to defending Jeff Sessions, we're too far down the rabbit hole to see daylight. He gravitated to Trump because he saw a fellow bigot.
58
Sessions committed to the "letter of the law"? Come on now, NYT. Sessions withheld information about his smeetings with Kislyak at his confirmation hearing. HE LIED TO CONGRESS. He may have a higher moral compass than does trump, but that is really saying next to nothing. Sessions is quite objectionable in nearly every way.
26
You need to use better adjectives to describe the President. Mercurial is so tame. Psychotic is a much better choice.
20
I can believe Sessions "reveres" the US Constitution, that "pact with the devil," as William Garrison rightly called it, which was written for the benefit of Sessions's slave-driver forebears. It is the basis for the "new Jim Crow," codifying "states rights" and slavery too. Remember, according to Sessions's constitution, slavery is legal as long as the slave has been convicted of a crime. This is why Sessions and those like him, Republican and Democrat, love "law and order": it gives them the "right" to imprison or closely monitor millions of blacks, Latinos, and other poor people.
23
An attorney general who does not know the meaning of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment? Who'da thunk it???
23
Yes, Mr. President, by all means you should fire Mr. Sessions.
I'd love to see you with no friends left to watch your back. I'll welcome how the ensuing political storm will stall your agenda. Keep firing those who support you but looked at you cross-eyed once. Could Pruitt be next?
Let's see if you can reignite the civil war in the Republican Party that threatened to overwhelm it as your candidacy gained momentum. Let's see if you can get a few more of the pundits who feed your faithful their delusions to start to question your wisdom.
Sessions must go.
I'd love to see you with no friends left to watch your back. I'll welcome how the ensuing political storm will stall your agenda. Keep firing those who support you but looked at you cross-eyed once. Could Pruitt be next?
Let's see if you can reignite the civil war in the Republican Party that threatened to overwhelm it as your candidacy gained momentum. Let's see if you can get a few more of the pundits who feed your faithful their delusions to start to question your wisdom.
Sessions must go.
15
They already question Trump's wisdom. No loyalty among the rest of the Republicans, either and all those conservative TV pundits will still line up for jobs in the White House. It's a job with a lot of perks and most of them are marginally employed at best. Never under estimate politicians with personal agendas, there is no bar too low they can't crawl under.
1
It took Donald Trump to turn Jeff Sessions into a constitutional hero.
12
Some articles make you realize how low we have sunk. "Mr. Sessions has the courage of his convictions"? Absolutely, as did and continue to do innumerable racists, in Alabama and elsewhere. Very sincerely, Mr. Hillyer, reading what you just wrote, I don't know if to scream or to laugh.
24
That is exactly right. We are reduced to rooting for the lesser of two very bad evils.
Autocrats "eating" their equally noxious followers/supporters. Hmm. THAT never happens...
This is just in-fighting among totalitarians and I don't see any reason to read more into it.
This is just in-fighting among totalitarians and I don't see any reason to read more into it.
7
"Mr. Sessions sees the world in black-and-white, law-and-order terms — criminals on one side and trustworthy law enforcement on the other."
I guess this depends on HIS interpretation of the law. By most measures, the alignment of his interpretation with the standards most Americans have held in my 46 years of life are highly questionable.
I have no sympathy for this disgraceful man. When Sessions allowed DT the Scorpion onto his back, he also put that wretch on the backs of the American people.
I guess this depends on HIS interpretation of the law. By most measures, the alignment of his interpretation with the standards most Americans have held in my 46 years of life are highly questionable.
I have no sympathy for this disgraceful man. When Sessions allowed DT the Scorpion onto his back, he also put that wretch on the backs of the American people.
24
Sessions lied to the Senate under oath. How can you claim that such a person "insists on probity and the letter of the law?"
18
Great essay. Jeff Sessions as martyr to a love of law... More accurately, to the laws he loves. Incredible.
Republicans and their apologists have no equals in moving the goalposts of what constitutes probity, integrity and the definition of craven pols.
Republicans and their apologists have no equals in moving the goalposts of what constitutes probity, integrity and the definition of craven pols.
17
Funny how picking on Sessions, a wealthy, conservative, southern white male is "going too far," but Trump picking on women, minorities, the disabled, Muslims, Mexican-Americans, transgender military personnel, the free press, the independence of the judiciary, the former FBI Director and climate scientists...is not?
31
Since when does the current version of the GOP care a whit about probity or the letter of the law? It certainly doesn't care about ethics. Oh, and if Sessions is so righteous, why did he a) lie during his confirmation hearing; and b) make up a non-existent preemptive AG-POTUS privilege?
13
" Mr. Trump’s mistreatment of Mr. Sessions.
How about Mr. Sessions mistreatment of gays, coming today with an attack on Title VII
How about Mr. Sessions mistreatment of gays, coming today with an attack on Title VII
7
Yes, Jeff Sessions is all about law and order when it is people who he feels are inferior get caught in his web. Not so much when he is dealing with white-collar criminals in the White House. Don't forget that he helped Trump fire Jim Comey. And the only reason that he recused himself from Russian matters is that he was required to, if not strictly by law, at least with all legal precedence. He did it to cover himself, which is fine. But it isn't that Sessions is a noble person.
9
It would be ironic indeed to many if AG Sessions turned out to be a bulwark against the damage Trump is doing to our country. Misinterpreting the Constitution is less egregious than abandoning it.
3
No one to root for here.
12
He can't be too principled. He joined Mr Trump.
15
The Republicans are simply cooking the goose: Sessions is the oven in which the goose now roasts. When Trump is fully cooked, welcome President Pence. And then he will nominate Sessions as his VP.
3
Both Trump and Sessions are the "wrong guys". Neither is fit for their office. Trump's goal is obvious: He wants Mueller fired and wants a new AG to do it since Sessions won't. Sessions has nothing to lose by standing his ground, but his initial embrace of Trump is evidence of his poor judgement. The country will be better off when both men are out of office.
10
why doesn't the principled mr. session's determination to uphold the law apply to mr. trump's abuse of women? or is this just the nytimes' chauvanism (again)..?
4
Imagine finding out on twitter that your boss wanted to fire you...
not the best business practice, you think their would be a lawsuit?
not the best business practice, you think their would be a lawsuit?
4
Sessions not only blindsided Trump with his recusal, he cast a dark cloud over one of Trump’s rare moments in the sun. Just as Trump was receiving praise for his State of the Union address -- which was appalling, but because he managed not to slip in his usual schoolyard bully taunts and jeers, it was seen as a step up -- Sessions recused himself the day after the Washington Post broke the story about his meetings with a Russian ambassador considered to be a spy and spy recruiter by our intelligence agencies.
A day later, just as the chicken hawk commander in chief was posing as a top gun and announcing his plans for big war toy spending, Jeff Sessions held his own media event to explain why he recused himself from any and all investigations into the presidential campaigns, bringing the headlines back to the Russian scandal and throwing shade on Trump.
Trump hates anyone who takes the limelight away from him, does not supplicate themselves before him, or makes him look foolish or impotent. Sessions has done a masterful job of all three. No wonder Trump is in a dizzying rage. Sessions, with the backing of Republican senators and some cabinet members who were fond of him as a legislator, has completely outplayed his boss. And, to top it off, he is the major obstacle between Trump and the superstar prosecution team he desperately wishes to fire.
I have no love for Sessions, but I do appreciate him for bringing a measure of justice to the most corrupt president in history.
A day later, just as the chicken hawk commander in chief was posing as a top gun and announcing his plans for big war toy spending, Jeff Sessions held his own media event to explain why he recused himself from any and all investigations into the presidential campaigns, bringing the headlines back to the Russian scandal and throwing shade on Trump.
Trump hates anyone who takes the limelight away from him, does not supplicate themselves before him, or makes him look foolish or impotent. Sessions has done a masterful job of all three. No wonder Trump is in a dizzying rage. Sessions, with the backing of Republican senators and some cabinet members who were fond of him as a legislator, has completely outplayed his boss. And, to top it off, he is the major obstacle between Trump and the superstar prosecution team he desperately wishes to fire.
I have no love for Sessions, but I do appreciate him for bringing a measure of justice to the most corrupt president in history.
5
I am continually surprised at the number of Americans that don't see what a madman we have elected.
9
"Mr. Trump is picking on the wrong guy."
Time will tell if Trump has picked on the wrong country.
Time will tell if Trump has picked on the wrong country.
5
Disagree with or even call Sessions narrow-minded, he deserves respect and civil regard. There are many who can argue with him; indeed the nation is better off from dialogue he may cause. Unlike the other individual in this story, he is not a man without honor. And he is certainly not a criminal
1
the field mouse is fast, but the owl sees at night
1
Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton would never have appointed Mr. Sessions to any top government position. Nor would she have appointed the Goldman Sachs Robber Baron boys and girls who have been put in charge of OUR federal government. She would have strengthened OUR democracy - not try to destroy it as they are doing.
There is nothing good or honorable about Jeff Sessions trying to destroy OUR Justice Department and take America back to the bad old days. There is nothing good or honorable about any of it. That's because there is nothing good or honorable about the International Mafia and their catholic/evangelist enforcers. Nothing.
There is nothing good or honorable about Jeff Sessions trying to destroy OUR Justice Department and take America back to the bad old days. There is nothing good or honorable about any of it. That's because there is nothing good or honorable about the International Mafia and their catholic/evangelist enforcers. Nothing.
18
Sessions following the letter of the law? Maybe. But the spirit of the law? Not so much.
17
If Sessions believes that illegal immigration hurts low skilled American workers, then why doesn't he go after the American business employers, large and small, that hire the illegal workers? And why isn't the federal government effective at this task? And why is there not a database of legal workers that an employer can consult when workers apply?
Why is the criminal enforcement only of the workers themselves? The employers are much less of a moving target and presumably much easier to identify. If the wall is a national endeavor, and our borders with other countries are a national endeavor, then states rights should not supersede federal authority when it comes to employers hiring illegals.
Why is the criminal enforcement only of the workers themselves? The employers are much less of a moving target and presumably much easier to identify. If the wall is a national endeavor, and our borders with other countries are a national endeavor, then states rights should not supersede federal authority when it comes to employers hiring illegals.
20
There is such a database, it's called E-Verify but it is not mandatory. I believe an executive order could make it mandatory but big business and their clubs (National Restaurant Association, for one) would be opposed and there goes the campaign money. Illegal employment is easy to solve if the will is there.
2
Because that's too hard and will make those employers look bad.
It's much more easier AND effective to scapegoat immigrants who do jobs low skilled American "workers" do not want to do.
It's much more easier AND effective to scapegoat immigrants who do jobs low skilled American "workers" do not want to do.
6
There is one good thing that is coming out of this. In the age of Trump, we are realizing just how 'trivial politics is in comparison with the rule of law. This is a profoundly important lesson for the people to learn (again). Without the rule of law, politics quickly turns into the rule of mere cults of personality.
If the premise of this column can be taken seriously (and let us hope it can be) I would readily take a dozen Jeff Sessions over one Donald Trump, even though Sessions' politics are vastly different from mine.
Our constitution is a thing of beauty. Its laws have preserved this republic for centuries. If Jeff Sessions cherishes it too, then I say, he is my friend despite our many differences.
If the premise of this column can be taken seriously (and let us hope it can be) I would readily take a dozen Jeff Sessions over one Donald Trump, even though Sessions' politics are vastly different from mine.
Our constitution is a thing of beauty. Its laws have preserved this republic for centuries. If Jeff Sessions cherishes it too, then I say, he is my friend despite our many differences.
8
I have very little sympathy for Mr. Sessions. I am, however, increasingly worried about the politicizing of the AG position and the integrity of the institution it represents.
46
Meh. Jeffery Beauregard Sessions III was exposed by Al Franken during the nominating committee debates. Sessions is not upright: he lied during his confirmation hearing and subsequent hearing of Russia, and he is all-too willing to let un/derprotected groups like the LGBTQ community fall through the legal cracks. Trump is way, way out of line in his treatment of Sessions, and Sessions is handling these unusual circumstances reasonably well. But there's no justification in praising the man.
66
"Mr. Sessions most likely thought he was doing what was best for the president. If Mr. Trump is investigated and found innocent, then it would be in the president’s political interest to be found innocent in an investigation that is not under the purview of Mr. Session"
Perhaps Sessions thinks there's a chance Trump may be innocent, but Trump knows that he is guilty ( no doubt including enabling money laundering through investments in his real estate), which is why he needs an amoral crony as AG.
Perhaps Sessions thinks there's a chance Trump may be innocent, but Trump knows that he is guilty ( no doubt including enabling money laundering through investments in his real estate), which is why he needs an amoral crony as AG.
6
I began this article with some feelings of sympathy for AG Sessions. Having read a few of the comments I must conclude that while Mr. Sessions does not deserve the public contumely to which he has been subjected, birds of a feather do seem to flock together and the AG had other more respectable Presidential candidates to whom he could have offered support.
19
There is no reason for anyone to feel sorry for Sessions. Unless he is a complete idiot, he must have known something of the character of Trump, who has been in the public spotlight for decades, before he decided to give Trump his support during the campaign. The phrase "you made your bed, now lie in it" seems particularly apt in this situation.
Sure Beauregard believes in "separate but equal" too. It would behoove the the author to remember that laws are the construct of humans with profound self-interests.
17
It seems odd to conclude a commentary praising the rule of law with a threat based on protectionism.
6
Donald Trump has no position on any issue. As Jerry Seinfeld may or may not have said about marriage, it's a game of chess on a board made of water with pieces made of smoke. To have a position would require a belief system. DJT has only a standard set of tactical ploys.
18
Trump and Sessions are both poisonous.
29
Some people say that Mueller is going to exonerate Trump, so this is all unnecessary for Trump.
He can sleep well (or not) knowing he has done nothing wrong.
He can sleep well (or not) knowing he has done nothing wrong.
4
Trump sleeps well regardless of having done wrong his whole life.
"If" Trump knifes his friends? Say rather "when". Why anybody would agree to go to work for this guy ....
13
After bashing Jeff Sessions for months, the media has executed a 180 degree turn. The ancient proverb, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend", is being applied in full force.
7
Are you referring to this opinion piece? If so, you should realize that the author is a conservative writing for the National Review and probably was not engaging in bashing Sessions for months.
4
No it isn't.
This is one article, by a contributing editor for the National Review, a conservative publication.
This is one article, by a contributing editor for the National Review, a conservative publication.
4
As the US failed to realize with Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, often, the enemy of my enemy is my enemy. Trump and Sessions deserve each other...as cellmates.
1
Principled and studied he may be, but Sessions early-on hitching of himself to trump's wagon was either cunning and opportunistic or extremely naive. I find the professionals who supported trump (Sessions, Rosenstein, Comey - who had a trump/pence sign on his lawn) much more disturbing than trump's uneducated base.
It only took me 2 minutes of watching trump speak at the start of his campaign to see how his mammoth toxic narcissism makes him a dangerous human being in all realms. Yet something within trump - aside from his conservative platform - dog whistled to these people. Was it racism, misogyny, "America First"? We need them all now to help us remove trump asap, but I will never have respect or sympathy for any of them.
It only took me 2 minutes of watching trump speak at the start of his campaign to see how his mammoth toxic narcissism makes him a dangerous human being in all realms. Yet something within trump - aside from his conservative platform - dog whistled to these people. Was it racism, misogyny, "America First"? We need them all now to help us remove trump asap, but I will never have respect or sympathy for any of them.
47
Comey wasn't living in the house that had the Trump sign: Gordon Joseloff, the editor and publisher of the site, told BuzzFeed News that Comey "has not lived in the house for several years."
1
Thanks - I stand corrected.
Mr. Hillyer, I beg to differ, but Mr. Sessions did not "readily recuse himself" from the Russian investigation as you claim. He swore under oath that he had no contact with Russian officials during his confirmation hearing, yet later admitted that he did, and then hemmed and hawed before reluctantly recusing himself.
I agree that his public smearing by the president is cruel and abusive but was Sessions who legitimized the Republican candidate to the rank and file of his party, thereby vouching for his fitness for the Oval Office. This president, like a great white shark, devours its own young because that's what their instincts tell them to do. This president and great white sharks are not governed by thought processes or scruples.
I agree that his public smearing by the president is cruel and abusive but was Sessions who legitimized the Republican candidate to the rank and file of his party, thereby vouching for his fitness for the Oval Office. This president, like a great white shark, devours its own young because that's what their instincts tell them to do. This president and great white sharks are not governed by thought processes or scruples.
100
Last sentence " if Mr. Trump knifes rather than protects his friends, soonno friends will remain to watch Mr. Trump's back" says it all. Unfortunately, Mr. Trump does not have the inclination or ability to understand . What a mess.
8
It seems Mr. Sessions, like Mr. Coney before him, has been hoisted upon the pedestal of principle by liberals. Gone are references to his rather Confederate sounding middle name, Beauregard! His Southern drawl is no longer mentioned.
Kim Jong-Un take notice! You can rescue yourself from despot status! You need only take on Donald Trump to reinvent yourself.
Kim Jong-Un take notice! You can rescue yourself from despot status! You need only take on Donald Trump to reinvent yourself.
8
Sessions and The Donald are hoisting themselves on their own petard. Liberals do not even have to be involved; nonetheless, I fail to see how anyone can enjoy the spectacle. Sessions is a true believer; Trump has no principles. He is dissing on the one who supported him the most. Anyone with any character or self-worth would be hesitant to even briefly consider working for him.
1
This opinion piece, to which I assume you are responding, was written by a conservative.
1
My objections to Mr. Sessions's policies have nothing to do with his middle name or his drawl. Let's try to avoid arguing ad hominem, okay?
It's interesting to see how quickly Jeff Seccions has gone from being portrayed as a white supremacist to an angel in white. Trump is doing quite a makeover on Jeff, one for which he should be grateful.
7
"The attorney general insists on probity and the letter of the law."
Really don't see how you can make that statement, particularly not on the home page of the Times. Demonstrably untrue in many, many cases over the years.
"Probity"? If Sessions truly possessed honesty and integrity (which is what probity means), he would never have taken the job as AG, or continued to support Trump as a candidate when he so blatantly violated norms of honesty, integrity, decency, and uprightness!
And to then follow up with the jaw-dropper:
"If there’s one thing you need to know about Mr. Sessions, it’s that he reveres the Constitution, as he understands it."
Sessions "reveres the Constitution, as he understands it"? "AS HE UNDERSTANDS IT"? So it's all utterly relativistic? Sessions can claim to "revere" the Constitution and still endorse voter intimidation, separate-and-unequal treatment, and all the segregationist laws and measures that he has?
What ever happened to the basic idea of objective reality, right-and-wrong, and reading what a document like the Constitution SAYS, not what you claim you think it can somehow mean because of some utterly contorted, logic-twisting, rationale?
Really don't see how you can make that statement, particularly not on the home page of the Times. Demonstrably untrue in many, many cases over the years.
"Probity"? If Sessions truly possessed honesty and integrity (which is what probity means), he would never have taken the job as AG, or continued to support Trump as a candidate when he so blatantly violated norms of honesty, integrity, decency, and uprightness!
And to then follow up with the jaw-dropper:
"If there’s one thing you need to know about Mr. Sessions, it’s that he reveres the Constitution, as he understands it."
Sessions "reveres the Constitution, as he understands it"? "AS HE UNDERSTANDS IT"? So it's all utterly relativistic? Sessions can claim to "revere" the Constitution and still endorse voter intimidation, separate-and-unequal treatment, and all the segregationist laws and measures that he has?
What ever happened to the basic idea of objective reality, right-and-wrong, and reading what a document like the Constitution SAYS, not what you claim you think it can somehow mean because of some utterly contorted, logic-twisting, rationale?
21
Sorry, my dear Hillyer, but I do NOT believe that Sessions has the courage of his convictions or, indeed, that he has any convictions at all. Everything he has done in his career can be equally well explained by a desire to pander to the prejudices of white voters in his state. Sessions is a politician in the long tradition of Southern pols who use racist appeals to get white working people to support conservative policies that oppress or impoverish them and benefit plutocrats like Trump. The only difference between him and George Wallace is that he expresses racism in other ways than standing in a schoolhouse door to block the entry of black students.
As to Sessions' decision to recuse himself in the Russia probe, it may well be prompted by a desire not to go down with a sinking ship. I doubt Sessions sees the Trump administration as the end of his political career, and if he wants to continue his career after the Trump era he must be careful to avoid being stained by whatever dirt emerges about Trump's dealings with the Russians. It's really that simple.
As to Sessions' decision to recuse himself in the Russia probe, it may well be prompted by a desire not to go down with a sinking ship. I doubt Sessions sees the Trump administration as the end of his political career, and if he wants to continue his career after the Trump era he must be careful to avoid being stained by whatever dirt emerges about Trump's dealings with the Russians. It's really that simple.
16
Many people hope that Trump keeps knifing his friends until he is standing all alone in that spotlight that he craves.
I don't see Mr. Sessions as some wonderful American; certainly not a bulwark in defense of a free and prosperous county. Mr. Sessions may understand and revere the US constitution but like many Constitutionalists, he refuses to see and then account for the evolution of our democracy. I suspect that he is hellbent on using the constitution instead as a tool to take us back to the musket-age... Rather than as an brilliant guideline and sentient call to America's evolving and better self...
So while we may want Sessions in session when it comes to Trumps agenda of removing Mueller and sidetracking the Russia cyber invasion investigation, the long game might be to just let Trump bloody his friends and fellow Republicans until he's the last man standing; wobbling and in need of a pardon for his many transgressions. A pardon which he won't get.
I don't see Mr. Sessions as some wonderful American; certainly not a bulwark in defense of a free and prosperous county. Mr. Sessions may understand and revere the US constitution but like many Constitutionalists, he refuses to see and then account for the evolution of our democracy. I suspect that he is hellbent on using the constitution instead as a tool to take us back to the musket-age... Rather than as an brilliant guideline and sentient call to America's evolving and better self...
So while we may want Sessions in session when it comes to Trumps agenda of removing Mueller and sidetracking the Russia cyber invasion investigation, the long game might be to just let Trump bloody his friends and fellow Republicans until he's the last man standing; wobbling and in need of a pardon for his many transgressions. A pardon which he won't get.
20
They are two people who clearly deserve each other. Sessions threw his lot in with a man whose word was not his bond, who openly lied to the American people and who has no respect for and daily dishonors our democracy. What did Mr. Sessions think he was getting in such an unholy alliance? I realize his Republican colleagues are coming to his defense, but the Attorney General's poor judgment has placed him in this position and with eyes wide open has only himself to blame. Someone once said if you marry a man who cheats on his wife, you'll be married to a man who cheats on his wife. In this case Mr. Sessions knew full well who he was dealing with so its a little late for him to cry wolf. Let the chips fall where they may.
18
I can appreciate the spirit of the argument that Mr. Hillyer is making, but voluntarily perjuring yourself during your confirmation hearing, and then accepting the job anyway, doesn't seem like principled obeisance to the rule of law.
8
I disagree with the author as to the 'character' of Jeff Sessions.
That being said, I wish to point out that it is the possible removal of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General that has finally made the Senate members open their eyes and say "This may be too much".
What is the tipping point here? A fellow GOP former senator being bullied?
Why would firing Sessions be worse than firing Comey?
As far as I can see, the craven GOP Senate will continue their See No Evil, etc.
as regards Trump until he shoots someone on Fifth Avenue. And Trump knows this. "Strong words" from Lindsay Graham are just an opportunity taken for a 30 second sound bite and do not worry Trump.
Why he sees the removal of Sessions as necessary for his protection from Mr. Mueller is baffling. There are other ways for him to get to the removal of Mueller without touching Sessions. Sessions is lock step with Trump on using the DOJ to help advance the Trump agenda. I find this frightening myself but Trump should love it.
So what is going here? Questions need to be asked because this little 'tiff' does not make sense unless Trump is just being mean and petty and 'getting back' at Sessions. Unfortunately for presidential standards, it may simply be personal vendetta by Trump.
That being said, I wish to point out that it is the possible removal of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General that has finally made the Senate members open their eyes and say "This may be too much".
What is the tipping point here? A fellow GOP former senator being bullied?
Why would firing Sessions be worse than firing Comey?
As far as I can see, the craven GOP Senate will continue their See No Evil, etc.
as regards Trump until he shoots someone on Fifth Avenue. And Trump knows this. "Strong words" from Lindsay Graham are just an opportunity taken for a 30 second sound bite and do not worry Trump.
Why he sees the removal of Sessions as necessary for his protection from Mr. Mueller is baffling. There are other ways for him to get to the removal of Mueller without touching Sessions. Sessions is lock step with Trump on using the DOJ to help advance the Trump agenda. I find this frightening myself but Trump should love it.
So what is going here? Questions need to be asked because this little 'tiff' does not make sense unless Trump is just being mean and petty and 'getting back' at Sessions. Unfortunately for presidential standards, it may simply be personal vendetta by Trump.
3
OK, Sympathy for AG Sessions. Reminds me of "Sympathy for the Devil" from somewhere in my mis-spent youth. He is an Orc in my opinion.
6
This article only serves to emphasize that Sessions' days are numbered. If he stays in office, he will have successfully come out on the winning end of a stare-down contest with his boss. This is something which Trump is ultimately not going to swallow. The amount of political damage he will incur when he eventually fires Sessions won't matter, because with Trump it is all about ego, anyway.
Start counting the days.
Start counting the days.
5
This is satire, right?
5
In a way.
But it's more like typical right-wing prevarication and whitewashing, but with a more respectable tone (It's THE National Review, after all).
But it's more like typical right-wing prevarication and whitewashing, but with a more respectable tone (It's THE National Review, after all).
For Sessions, "fealty to the law trumps all." Oh please. This is the guy who lied under oath when he was questioned for the job of highest cop in the country. How's that for fealty to the law? He recused himself to avoid the possibility of going to jail. Where does fealty fit in with that? When he was nominated, all the liberal media excoriated Sessions up one side and down the other, quoting chapter and verse of his hateful interpretation of "fealty to the law" over a period of many years. I remember the themes but didn't memorize the details because I need to protect my brain cells from holding onto that stuff. Except for the part about how he was denied a judgeship because he was so racist. And all this blah blah blah about how the Senators are so protective of "one of their own." These are the same guys (except for literally a couple of women) trying to hurt people with their health care bill and their tax cuts for the rich. The only clear story line coming out of all this is that many people hate #45 more than they hate Sessions. So say that. Suddenly putting Sessions on a pedestal is loathsome.
4
Don't bother memorizing things you can look up. And Sessions has left a long, long trail of things anyone can look up.
"For Mr. Sessions fealty to the law trumps all." Perhaps you didn't read today's news that Sessions' Justice Dept. Is filing a brief to argue that Title Nine doesn't protect gays. For Sessions the "law" is a tool to deny voter rights by turning a blind eye to voter intimidation and suppression. Now gay rights are in his sights too. Mr. Sessions belongs on a plantation not in the Justice Department.
5
If any of the premises about Sessions love of the law were true, he would not be consorting with the client of Putin and the Russian mafia. The fact that he does belies any notion that he cares deeply about America, beyond wielding the power to do exactly as he pleases to anyone not of his race, religious or political persuasion.
2
Trump's obsession with personal loyalty is a trait that disqualifies him from the Presidency and was well know before the election. It is a characteristic of a CEO or a dictator and is anathema to American democracy. How could Americans have made such a dreadful mistake? That was a rhetorical question.
8
Ha!
Reagan. Bush II. Trump.
Once Is Chance, Twice is Coincidence, Third Time Is A Pattern.
And there you have it: America.
Reagan. Bush II. Trump.
Once Is Chance, Twice is Coincidence, Third Time Is A Pattern.
And there you have it: America.
Trump is intellectually lazy, poorly read, has little to no understanding of separation of powers, the basics of the Constitution or Bill of Rights. Unless he can twist something to suit his emotional need of the moment, he pretends its fake news. Trump's driving on the wrong side of the road, that he believes is a one way street, so a crack up is inevitable. Better sooner than later, and likely sooner when he plays chicken with one of his own who is better educated.
3
Mr Trump has the amazing ability to make anybody look good! Never did I think I would see the "liberal media" defending Jeff Sessions.
3
A true believer is exactly what Sessions is. Unfortunately, he believes in the laws created by white men to keep themselves in control of all the wealth and power. He does not believe in fighting for the rights of those who cannot afford to fight for themselves, a.k.a. the average American. He believes in building more private prisons to incarcerate minorities, while profiting white owners.
4
"the Queens-born developer and the Alabama lawyer, are finding that similar positions on political issues can mask deep differences on underlying principles."
I like your conclusions Quin, but your premise as stated above is incorrect. They have no "similar positions". I vehemently disagree with most of Session's positions, but I believe they are honestly and sincerely held.
Trump however puts political positions on like a coat if its cold out. Once the weather takes a turn he switches coats. Positions are fungible and useful only to advance his self interest or himself.
So let's be honest: he has NO principles or positions.....on anything. Except of course his need to be accepted and loved by the multitudes because he knows deep down he has no true self worth. Validation is his only driver.
Why then are commentators (on both sides) convinced he has any real principles or positions as a basis for their comments (witness the Transgenders out of the military and the DOJ siding today against protecting gay people from discrimination vs his campaign "promises" for LGBTQ protections)?
The only foundation of his "positions" is that he is a very sick man. And the only commentary (from both conservatives and liberals) should be focused on how the 25th amendment can be engaged to save us and the world.....as soon as possible!
I like your conclusions Quin, but your premise as stated above is incorrect. They have no "similar positions". I vehemently disagree with most of Session's positions, but I believe they are honestly and sincerely held.
Trump however puts political positions on like a coat if its cold out. Once the weather takes a turn he switches coats. Positions are fungible and useful only to advance his self interest or himself.
So let's be honest: he has NO principles or positions.....on anything. Except of course his need to be accepted and loved by the multitudes because he knows deep down he has no true self worth. Validation is his only driver.
Why then are commentators (on both sides) convinced he has any real principles or positions as a basis for their comments (witness the Transgenders out of the military and the DOJ siding today against protecting gay people from discrimination vs his campaign "promises" for LGBTQ protections)?
The only foundation of his "positions" is that he is a very sick man. And the only commentary (from both conservatives and liberals) should be focused on how the 25th amendment can be engaged to save us and the world.....as soon as possible!
4
having just read the op ed, is hilyer writing about jeff sessions? she is writing about some paragon of virtue unfamiliar to 65% of the country.
3
I fundamentally disagree with Jeff Sessions on just about everything - except we share a belief that governing is about loyalty to our democratic form of government, the Constitution, and the rule of law...not to a person occupying a specific government job.
These distractions that 45 is throwing in front of us should NOT distract us from our focus on his campaign's collusion with Russia to distort an American election...not his vile treatment of anyone he deems "disloyal", not his total lack of ethics or leadership skills, not his ludicrous 3AM tweets, nor the parade of incompetents he puts in front of us on the news shows who defend his idiocy.
At some point the republican party must purge itself of this vile creature. Unfortunately they will not do so until they are finished dismantling whatever they can of the Obama presidency. Sad.
These distractions that 45 is throwing in front of us should NOT distract us from our focus on his campaign's collusion with Russia to distort an American election...not his vile treatment of anyone he deems "disloyal", not his total lack of ethics or leadership skills, not his ludicrous 3AM tweets, nor the parade of incompetents he puts in front of us on the news shows who defend his idiocy.
At some point the republican party must purge itself of this vile creature. Unfortunately they will not do so until they are finished dismantling whatever they can of the Obama presidency. Sad.
What? Didn't I read in this very same paper that he lied during his confirmation hearing?
2
The article states that Sessions,"reveres the Constitution, as he understands it."
This statement is the whole point of the article, albeit perhaps uninetional, that Sessions twists the Constitution to fit his worldview: he has been denied positions because of his racism, which certainly reinforces his 'law and order' and anti-narcotics stances. The drug laws disproportionately impact peopel of color, instead of better-off whites who can hire lawyers. An ant-immigration stance also fits into this analysis and his worldview. You can summarize everythign about Sessions in the same way that you can summarize elite republican views: The laws apply equally to everyone but me. How else can you explain his lies under oath about Russia?
This statement is the whole point of the article, albeit perhaps uninetional, that Sessions twists the Constitution to fit his worldview: he has been denied positions because of his racism, which certainly reinforces his 'law and order' and anti-narcotics stances. The drug laws disproportionately impact peopel of color, instead of better-off whites who can hire lawyers. An ant-immigration stance also fits into this analysis and his worldview. You can summarize everythign about Sessions in the same way that you can summarize elite republican views: The laws apply equally to everyone but me. How else can you explain his lies under oath about Russia?
2
Hilarious piece. Those chants you heard at all the rallies was just the sound of Sessions' people revering the Constitution.
5
I can't ascribe a bunch of glowing character to traits to a hard-hearted man like Jeff Sessions. He's not the wrong guy because of some holier than thou dedication to democracy. He is the wrong guy to pick on because he's a testy, unrepentant southern white guy with an intractable 1930s world view -- and those guys don't back down.
6
Mr. Hillyer, this space applauds your defense of Attorney General Sessions. Perhaps you are a fellow-Alabamian of the "beleaguered" Mr. Sessions. I do, however, take grievous issue that Mr. Sessions "understands the Constitution" as it relates to *all* Americans.
He has lived as a fervent segregationist. He would roll back voting rights laws; he would defend police actions that result in the deaths or dismemberments of non-white citizens. He would defend a travel ban on Muslim-citizens; he would defend an unlawful presidential order to prohibit transgender citizens fron serving their country. He would defend Second Amendment zealots.
He is, Mr. Hillyer, a great menace to the concept of law because he does not think it should apply fairly, blindly, if you will, across the board, to all Americans. Attorney General Sessions is, in short, a deep, committed life-long racist. Under a president of reasonable competence and civility, Mr. Sessions would never have been nominated for his cabinet post. That he serves, at least until suppertime, as Donald Trump's top law enforcement officer speaks volumes to how and whom and what both men are: threats to the civil order and public peace.
Mr. Hillyer, venerate Mr. Sessions if you will; I'll take a pass, thanks.
He has lived as a fervent segregationist. He would roll back voting rights laws; he would defend police actions that result in the deaths or dismemberments of non-white citizens. He would defend a travel ban on Muslim-citizens; he would defend an unlawful presidential order to prohibit transgender citizens fron serving their country. He would defend Second Amendment zealots.
He is, Mr. Hillyer, a great menace to the concept of law because he does not think it should apply fairly, blindly, if you will, across the board, to all Americans. Attorney General Sessions is, in short, a deep, committed life-long racist. Under a president of reasonable competence and civility, Mr. Sessions would never have been nominated for his cabinet post. That he serves, at least until suppertime, as Donald Trump's top law enforcement officer speaks volumes to how and whom and what both men are: threats to the civil order and public peace.
Mr. Hillyer, venerate Mr. Sessions if you will; I'll take a pass, thanks.
8
The president with spurs,
Makes spurious slurs,
Of others that serve.
He sure has some nerve.
Sycophants he prefers.
Makes spurious slurs,
Of others that serve.
He sure has some nerve.
Sycophants he prefers.
3
My compliments to Mr. Sessions. We should be thankful that men like Sessions are public servants. The highest ideals of our country reside within them, whether they be of any political party. With a Trumpian presidency we need all those who believe in our Constitution and Law, need to be a counter force when Trump forgets he is an elected official, not the CEO of a company he owns.
3
Watch for excerpts from this column to appear in Stephen Colbert's next monologue: delivered word-for-word and in deadpan.
4
The 50's, when Sessions and I were both children, was characterized by authoritarianism. Apparently he's interested in going back there. I am not. However, I hope he holds on and forces Trump to fire him, and I believe he will.
4
Sure, Sessions believes in fealty to the law unless the law happens to be the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or laws that protect the environment, the health and safety of workers, or that protect women from discrimination. Or any other laws that compromise the authority of white men in business, government or in the family.
93
"How they follow through in the coming weeks, especially if the president fires him, will determine whether they are remembered as principled lawmakers or craven pols."
Haven't the Republicans in congress already proven themselves to be craven pols?
Haven't the Republicans in congress already proven themselves to be craven pols?
10
This article describes a person committed to principles.Notes some of them.
His position, however, demands an interest in, a concern for, and the necessary skills and abilities to discern between facts, fictions and fantasies.In order to plan for,implement, assess, and post-assessment, learn what needs to be corrected.So that equitable life styles,and healthy well being, are achievable and sustained for individuals and systems.Not just laws- God-given or man-made tools-which are basic for civil society and menschlich daily living.Discrimination has been and continues to be legally based! Unequal opportunities for available and accessible life's basics:food, housing, education,disease prevention and medical care,conflict-free environments, the right to vote, justice, etc., etc.continue to exist in our toxic daily enabled WE-THEY culture.Focusing on, defending or attacking, Sessions as well as Trump, as people, and not considering the quality of their daily functioning in their policy roles is misleading.More misleading is not considering in this article, and in so many others, the complacency and cooptation of so many people,citizens and not, in a democracy, for which many have died,who enable daily violations.Of laws which help and do not harm.Ethics.Values of menschlichkeit.Lifestyle nourished and sustained by mutual respect,caring, concern for the socio-political constructed "the other."None of this is even hinted at in this Ode to Sessions.Whoever he is. Isn't. Wont BE.
His position, however, demands an interest in, a concern for, and the necessary skills and abilities to discern between facts, fictions and fantasies.In order to plan for,implement, assess, and post-assessment, learn what needs to be corrected.So that equitable life styles,and healthy well being, are achievable and sustained for individuals and systems.Not just laws- God-given or man-made tools-which are basic for civil society and menschlich daily living.Discrimination has been and continues to be legally based! Unequal opportunities for available and accessible life's basics:food, housing, education,disease prevention and medical care,conflict-free environments, the right to vote, justice, etc., etc.continue to exist in our toxic daily enabled WE-THEY culture.Focusing on, defending or attacking, Sessions as well as Trump, as people, and not considering the quality of their daily functioning in their policy roles is misleading.More misleading is not considering in this article, and in so many others, the complacency and cooptation of so many people,citizens and not, in a democracy, for which many have died,who enable daily violations.Of laws which help and do not harm.Ethics.Values of menschlichkeit.Lifestyle nourished and sustained by mutual respect,caring, concern for the socio-political constructed "the other."None of this is even hinted at in this Ode to Sessions.Whoever he is. Isn't. Wont BE.
Another reasons to abhor our wannabe god-emperor with his greedy grabbers: the need to hope that Sessions will stick to his guns. In other circumstances, one could hope for a good objective legal mind as the top lawyer of the land.
The dumpster fire of vanity only wants fanboys. His speech to those youngster Boy Scouts was execrable. He appears not to know other people don't suffer by being open and generous, since greed and selfishness have been his beacons since he was young.
If Mr. Sessions reveres the Constitution, I wish he'd go back and read it with a more open mind. It seems to me it's like the god he reveres, the one in his head that tells him to ignore Jesus's teachings of inclusion, caring for the less fortunate, and love. The golden rule appears not to apply to a significant number of the people he condemns.
Then there's his hatred of knowledge, especially knowledge about climate and science. He's decided that god is offended, as he is, by the idea that we should care for our wonderful earth and slow down with exploiting it to extinction.
I'd say God and the Constitution have very little to do with Sessions' decisions, and that is very very sad. A closed mind is a sign of a limited mind, and his thinking is not at all objective, sloppy and centered on defending his peer group from the boogeyman of a true democracy.
The dumpster fire of vanity only wants fanboys. His speech to those youngster Boy Scouts was execrable. He appears not to know other people don't suffer by being open and generous, since greed and selfishness have been his beacons since he was young.
If Mr. Sessions reveres the Constitution, I wish he'd go back and read it with a more open mind. It seems to me it's like the god he reveres, the one in his head that tells him to ignore Jesus's teachings of inclusion, caring for the less fortunate, and love. The golden rule appears not to apply to a significant number of the people he condemns.
Then there's his hatred of knowledge, especially knowledge about climate and science. He's decided that god is offended, as he is, by the idea that we should care for our wonderful earth and slow down with exploiting it to extinction.
I'd say God and the Constitution have very little to do with Sessions' decisions, and that is very very sad. A closed mind is a sign of a limited mind, and his thinking is not at all objective, sloppy and centered on defending his peer group from the boogeyman of a true democracy.
7
Even liberals (like me) know that what is being done to Sessions is wrong. We may disagree with his views but we respect his respect for the law. If he is fired, it will bring Trump a step closer to impeachment, but while Trump's eventual departure will be good for the Republic, if it happens, the dismissal of an Attorney General and Trump's disregard for the law and the independence of the Justice Department is dangerous and all right-thinking people should condemn it.
12
What a bizarre and false hagiography of a man who has spent decades misusing the courts and the political system to pursue overtly racist ends; to punish people who, he believed, had wronged him; and to enrich and further entrench the political advantages of himself and his cohort.
114
It's not at all clear that President Trump's base supports Atty General Sessions. Yes, many conservatives support Mr. Sessions, but principled conservatives are not a major part of the President's base. A large number of the 35% of Americans who continue to support the President seem to see him as the person who will help them by destroying an Establishment that they believe has ignored their interests for decades. To that end, many support proposals that would, for example, eviscerate our Constitutionally protected press freedom. Even if all principled conservatives refuse to "watch Mr. Trump's back," those millions of supporters will continue to back him, as he convinces them that Mr. Sessions is part of that hated Establishment.
52
I fully agree with who comprises Trump's base. The additional thing to consider, however, is that if senators, governors, etc. don't support Trump because of this, they may not participate in the fundraising efforts that Trump will need for re-election. Having a core 35% of supporters is one thing; funding a campaign is another. While he got away with a skinny budget against Clinton, he may not have that same luxury as an incumbent.
His fealty to the Constitution is evident in his refusal to hold a hearing on the nomination of Merrick Garland, as the Constitution plainly contemplates.
162
If I was having business dealings with trump, I would be afraid that he would lie, cheat, and steal. Trump is so self-absorbed that truth is whatever benefits him and he would not be worried at all about breaking his world and lying.
Mr. Hillyer is correct that Sessions is an ardent defender of the Constitution and the law as he understands them. Unlike trump, I would feel good about having business dealings with Mr. Sessions. I don't think he would lie, steal, or try to go back on his word.
The problem with Sessions is his view of society and applying the law. To be a successful republican politician in Alabama, one needs to buy into the policy of making things tough on the weak (people with dark skins, immigrants, LGBT, muslims, etc) and being solicitous for the wealthy and well connected. Look at the things Sessions supports: War on drugs (translation: lock up lots of dark-skinned people); Civil asset forfeiture (translation: a dark-skinned person with too much cash or driving a nice car -- the police take it away whether he/she is guilty of a crime or not), fighting election fraud (translation: make it harder for democratic leaning people to vote). The reader probably gets the picture.
So Sessions is a passionate crime fighter and supporter of the Constitution and the laws but why is it that the only people he seems to be interested in prosecuting are black, brown, immigrants, etc. He seems to think that LGBT people have no rights.
Mr. Hillyer is correct that Sessions is an ardent defender of the Constitution and the law as he understands them. Unlike trump, I would feel good about having business dealings with Mr. Sessions. I don't think he would lie, steal, or try to go back on his word.
The problem with Sessions is his view of society and applying the law. To be a successful republican politician in Alabama, one needs to buy into the policy of making things tough on the weak (people with dark skins, immigrants, LGBT, muslims, etc) and being solicitous for the wealthy and well connected. Look at the things Sessions supports: War on drugs (translation: lock up lots of dark-skinned people); Civil asset forfeiture (translation: a dark-skinned person with too much cash or driving a nice car -- the police take it away whether he/she is guilty of a crime or not), fighting election fraud (translation: make it harder for democratic leaning people to vote). The reader probably gets the picture.
So Sessions is a passionate crime fighter and supporter of the Constitution and the laws but why is it that the only people he seems to be interested in prosecuting are black, brown, immigrants, etc. He seems to think that LGBT people have no rights.
32
Reminds me of the Alexander Hamilton song where Hamilton is being ask to pick between Jefferson and Burr:
Mr. Session has principles, Trump has none.
Mr. Session has principles, Trump has none.
3
The problem is, Sessions will only exaggerate his reactionary "justice" policies to harm more people in order to regain the president's good will.
The nastier the AG becomes, the better Donald will like him.
What a way to run the government.
The nastier the AG becomes, the better Donald will like him.
What a way to run the government.
10
If Sessions were so true to the law and the Constitution as has been suggested, then he should have been the first to raise the flag about Trump's indifference to the lofty principles. If Sessions is such a principled man, then why does he continue to associate with a man who, on the face of matters, appears to be a closet criminal. One would like Sessions should be leading the charge to right the wrongs allegedly underway at the White House. Instead, he remains quiet and allows Trump to destroy integrity, honestly and impartiality at will. Make a stand, Mr. Sessions, and show us whether you support your principles or are just paying lip service to them.
18
If Trump fires Sessions in order to make a recess appointment AG fire Mueller, Congress - yes, even this pathetic GOP Congress - can either impeach Trump or be thoroughly complicit in a naked effort to obstruct justice.
Anyone think Paul Ryan is up to it?
Before - that is - he gets the massive tax cut he belives justifies his current and ongoing dereliction of duty?
Anyone think Paul Ryan is up to it?
Before - that is - he gets the massive tax cut he belives justifies his current and ongoing dereliction of duty?
8
"For better or worse, Mr. Sessions sees the world in black-and-white, law-and-order terms — criminals on one side and trustworthy law enforcement on the other.."
The writer gives praise to a man so smitten with his own self righteousness he has forgotten about one integral component of Law-And-Order; MERCY.
I realize most are are presented with a real dilemma trying to give aid and comfort to Jeff Sessions in his "time of need." But- please do remember- this is a man who never raised a voice during his support of Candidate Trump- when Trump verbally eviscerated nearly everyone he could- just for sport.
There is nothing noble about Mr Sessions. Do not turn him into a martyr. He is a liar and committed a felony for lying under oath: So much for law and order.
The writer gives praise to a man so smitten with his own self righteousness he has forgotten about one integral component of Law-And-Order; MERCY.
I realize most are are presented with a real dilemma trying to give aid and comfort to Jeff Sessions in his "time of need." But- please do remember- this is a man who never raised a voice during his support of Candidate Trump- when Trump verbally eviscerated nearly everyone he could- just for sport.
There is nothing noble about Mr Sessions. Do not turn him into a martyr. He is a liar and committed a felony for lying under oath: So much for law and order.
42
Sessions is a bigot and liar. It seems likely that he actively participated in the Trump campaign's collusion with an adverse foreign power to influence our 2016 national elections. An arguably treasonous plot in which Trump, either directly or through surrogates like Sessions, offered Putin sanctions relief as a prelude to yet more personal financial enrichment. One needn't lionize Sessions to paint a painfully accurate portrait of the bumbling grifter to whom he pledged fealty.
27
I'm appalled at how civil forfeiture is used in this country to deprive American citizens of their property, and in one documented case, their baby, in spite of them not being convicted or sometimes even charged with a crime. Since Sessions is so enamored of this policy, I suggest (tooth in cheek) that the Federal Government seize Trump's property until he pays all the money he owes stiffed employees and can prove he hasn't cooperated with the Mafia and a hostile foreign government.
18
Good idea. tongue in check?
1
This is what you get when you elect a supposedly successful businessman who has actually made money, first with a loan from his dear daddy, and second, by stiffing his workers, suppliers and investors. He knows of nothing other than personal fealty that is owed him no matter what.
And now we act surprised. I can't help but say, I, along with 66 million others knew it and told ya so.
And now we act surprised. I can't help but say, I, along with 66 million others knew it and told ya so.
20
Sessions needs to realize that in fact he has Trump over a barrel, not the other way around.
Maybe he will actually man up, confront the Bully-in-Chief, and be a patriot rather than a sycophant.
10
Trump believes himself - both personally and as president - to be above the law. Jeff Sessions isn't willing to play along. So far anyway. It's not going to be a pretty end.
7
Attorney General Jeff Sessions and I have little or nothing in common politically. His supporters would likely classify me as some coastal, elite liberal, though I have no real idea what that means. Elite? Yes, I have an advanced degree and a professional job. If that qualifies me as an "elite", I stand guilty as charged.
But Trump has drifted well beyond politics. Publically humiliating Mr. Sessions, bullying him into resignation so the president can appoint some lackey during the August Senate recesses is a "bridge too far". At some point, as the article suggests, people of reasonable mind, must acknowledge that we not face a threat to our republican system, or at least the way it has functioned in a realistic recent memory.
Whatever explicit right the president may have legally, basic decency and decorum dictate that one show a certain degree of respect for subordinates and colleagues.
Trump see little need. And this extend far beyond Sessions. Look at the way he is treating Senator Murkowski and how he practically threatened Senator Heller regarding his vote over the ACA repeal effort. This is not normal behavior.
Jeff Sessions is our Attorney General. Say what you will about him politically, and I would likely say a lot, he is trying to do a difficult job in very difficult circumstances. He deserves basic respect.
Mr. Sessions, I don't envy you. He must decide if being an unemployed former US attorney general is better than being a well-fed pet.
But Trump has drifted well beyond politics. Publically humiliating Mr. Sessions, bullying him into resignation so the president can appoint some lackey during the August Senate recesses is a "bridge too far". At some point, as the article suggests, people of reasonable mind, must acknowledge that we not face a threat to our republican system, or at least the way it has functioned in a realistic recent memory.
Whatever explicit right the president may have legally, basic decency and decorum dictate that one show a certain degree of respect for subordinates and colleagues.
Trump see little need. And this extend far beyond Sessions. Look at the way he is treating Senator Murkowski and how he practically threatened Senator Heller regarding his vote over the ACA repeal effort. This is not normal behavior.
Jeff Sessions is our Attorney General. Say what you will about him politically, and I would likely say a lot, he is trying to do a difficult job in very difficult circumstances. He deserves basic respect.
Mr. Sessions, I don't envy you. He must decide if being an unemployed former US attorney general is better than being a well-fed pet.
9
"If there’s one thing you need to know about Mr. Sessions, it’s that he reveres the Constitution, as he understands it."
But, of course, you could have said those words about Jefferson Davis and Jesse Helms too. "As he understands it" goes a long way.
But, of course, you could have said those words about Jefferson Davis and Jesse Helms too. "As he understands it" goes a long way.
73
Are we talking about the same Jeff Sessions?
152
Unfortunately this same Session whose ribbony is not absolute has had his department try to deny gays civil rights protection, following on his president's vicious antiLGBT decision vis-a-vis the military
If I recall correctly, Sessions was accused by Senator Franken of lying several times during his confirmation testimony. I certainly thought Sessions lied.
Lying during confirmation testimony shows he has no principles.
Lying during confirmation testimony shows he has no principles.
134
And lying to Congress is a felony. Maybe Sessions assets should be seized?
2
Probity? Letter of the law? Really? How do you square that with Sessions' false statements, under oath, during his A.G. confirmation hearing?
178
I say again to Mr. Sessions: most people that seek public office have an internal desire to effect the subjects that they are interested in. They know that in public office, they can make a difference.
You have this one chance to rise above many of the people that you work with, and represent the people of the United States. That is your primary role, not as helper of the President.
I urge you to do the right thing: uphold the law. Mr Trump will come and go. You will be remembered for whether you politicized the office of the AG or upheld the laws and protected the people of the United States.
You have this one chance to rise above many of the people that you work with, and represent the people of the United States. That is your primary role, not as helper of the President.
I urge you to do the right thing: uphold the law. Mr Trump will come and go. You will be remembered for whether you politicized the office of the AG or upheld the laws and protected the people of the United States.
6
Since Attorney General Sessions is a "law and order" kind of a guy who believes criminals should forfeit their assets, I'm looking forward to his support for the seizure of the entire Trump real estate empire if and when the various investigations into the Trump campaign's collusion with the Russian government shows that crimes have been committed.
Oh, and let's include the Kushner real estate empire also.
Oh, and let's include the Kushner real estate empire also.
209
Civil asset forfeiture may be applied before conviction--in fact, before any charges are filed. It would be completely proper (in some states) to seize Trump's assets now, claiming they are the results of illegal transactions (as they are in large part). Of course, as practiced, civil asset forfeiture has largely been applied to persons of color or persons of accent or persons without the means to defend themselves.
There is no legal connection between forfeiture and asset seizure.
There is no legal connection between forfeiture and asset seizure.
1
Why doesn't Trump sue somebody to ease his tension?
3
He was advised not to by his attorney, Leg Ally.
"... whether they are remembered as principled lawmakers or craven pols."
Quoth the craven, "Evermore."
Quoth the craven, "Evermore."
2
Jeff Sessions is in the process of receiving what he has previously given out to the world. He has spewed hatred for gays, immigrants and people of color with an elf-like demeanor and a cute southern accent. But, the costume does not disguise the intolerant, racist beast beneath.
Sessions is getting what he deserves, not by the persons he wronged, but by someone he was loyal to. The fact that this betrayal is public and seemingly undeserved makes it painful for him. Perhaps this is the chance for him to do some self reflection and recognize the pain and suffering he has caused those he has harmed.
Sessions is getting what he deserves, not by the persons he wronged, but by someone he was loyal to. The fact that this betrayal is public and seemingly undeserved makes it painful for him. Perhaps this is the chance for him to do some self reflection and recognize the pain and suffering he has caused those he has harmed.
68
So based on that, that should make Trump look correct for spanking the child worthy of it. Only problem is you can't spank a child anymore without being charged with battery. It's really hard for me picturing my loving mom behind bars because that's where she'd be if I'd been raised today.
"Only problem is you can't spank a child anymore without being charged with battery."
Perhaps your children should obtain a restraining order just in case.
Perhaps your children should obtain a restraining order just in case.
1
If this whole Trump nightmare doesn't include the loss of thousands (and I mean thousands) of lives (including Americans) dying in wars that Trump authorizes in his last-ditch attempts to distract and rally Americans, and change the subject...I would gleefully go out and buy an ample supply of popcorn--because the show that is in its early states is going to be grotesquely and perversely entertaining: a real-life version of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Game of Thrones.
What the he!! has happened to my country?
Was the black (who they didn't like all that much)...and the woman (who they truly hate)...were they THAT bad?!
What the he!! has happened to my country?
Was the black (who they didn't like all that much)...and the woman (who they truly hate)...were they THAT bad?!
6
How ironic to read this paean to Sessions immediately after reading that the Justice Dept. is arguing that gays are not protected under federal civil rights law. "Principled obeisance to the rule of law;" "obeisance to the Constitution," indeed.
Instead of all this hypocritical praise, "when you lay down with dogs, you get fleas" is all that need be said about Session and his problems.
Instead of all this hypocritical praise, "when you lay down with dogs, you get fleas" is all that need be said about Session and his problems.
25
This is it. Man to Man. Fidelity to Adultery. Bluffer to Forthright. Not big on Sessions Immigration Orders but for now--Session hold tight!
1
Sessions "sees the world in black-and-white" alright. And he doesn't like that Black people are supposed to have the same rights as White people.
42
And how does Mr. Sessions feel about the legality of his lying about meeting with Russians?
8
Sessions is a piece of bigoted and racist garbage, which he has demonstrated countless times during his career in government. The only reason Republicans may have a problem with Trump humiliating him is that a majority of Republicans, and their constituents, feel the same way Sessions does about gays and minorities.
6
The correct term is "to be found not quilty" as one is presumed to be innocent of charges until proven guilty. I get it that "innocent " uses fewer characters than "not guilty" but really, this is a fundamental right AND it conveys a fundamental understanding of our justice system.
3
"For Mr. Sessions, fealty to the law trumps all."
Barring perjury, Financial malfeasance and collusion with a foreign power.
Thanks for the morning chuckle.
Barring perjury, Financial malfeasance and collusion with a foreign power.
Thanks for the morning chuckle.
161
The author would have us accept that General Sessions is a by-the-book honest lawyer. Period! That's why he recused himself. I'm relieved to learn that, much to my surprise, the top law enforcement officer of the USA is not merely a bigoted opportunist and Jm Crow politician. He is a man of strict legal principle. Wow! Apparently POTUS doesn't agree with the author's views however. He would probably agree with me that Sessions had another subtext to his recusal. The Attorney General apparently, openly and voluntarily lied to a Senate committee. That is a crime. He could go to jail and lose his law license. Not that that would necessarily make Trump want to fire him as A.G. So hearing GOP Sessions supporters voice some dubious argument in support of Sessions which is also intended to put a little distance between Republican pols and Trump seems mere spin-doctoring to me. Words have no meaning anymore. Y'all saw to that.
47
He may have all the sterling qualities you cite but I wish he'd add separation of church & state to the tenets he believes in.
10
As someone who grew up in Alabama, there is something that Trump missed about Sessions.
Southerners in general, and Alabamians in particular, are stubborn as mules and will double down when they believe that there is an ethical point involved.
If Sessions resigns or backs down in any way I will be stunned.
Southerners in general, and Alabamians in particular, are stubborn as mules and will double down when they believe that there is an ethical point involved.
If Sessions resigns or backs down in any way I will be stunned.
6
The idea that Trump's friends will abandon him if he fires Sessions fails to recognize the bottomless supply of toadies who will materialize to cash in on the opportunities that power affords. Just look at his cabinet officers, and that he has not yet been impeached for general incompetence.
8
Jeff Sessions is no saint, and his support of Trump says a lot about the man's character -- including his inability to see through the biggest fraud of a president this nation has ever experienced. Still, Sessions adheres to a core principle of decent Americans: we are a nation of laws and not men. Trump adheres to the exact opposite principle: he believes that he can impose a feudal monarchy. We fought a revolutionary war to rid this land of King Georges. Sessions may be odious for any number of reasons, but between him and Trump, I vote for the person who follows the law. At least there is some democratic control over that.
96
Ridiculous. Sessions lied to congress when he conveniently forgot that he met with Russian, "ambassadors," several times. NOTHING, happened to him. This "democracy" failed completely, with the exception of having him recuse himself, much later, from the Trump Russian investigation.
Trump should have fired him then, but since he is as guilty as Sessions when it came to Russia, he must have thought at the time, it was better to keep him in the tent rather then out of it.
Trump should have fired him then, but since he is as guilty as Sessions when it came to Russia, he must have thought at the time, it was better to keep him in the tent rather then out of it.
2
The ignorance of the one other commentator is profound. Sessions has nothing to do with Jim Crow. That baloney was from some radical opponents of over thirty years ago and wholly untrue. As now demonstrated Sessions has integrity and respects the rule of law. This is far better than the previous AG who ought to be investigated. And, Sessions is proving himself to be magnitudes better than Mr. Trump.
1
I would believe your assertion IF Sessions had not LIED repeatedly while testifying in front of his former colleagues in the Senate.
3
"For better or worse, Mr. Sessions sees the world in black-and-white"
Well put.
Well put.
81
I have no love for Mr. Sessions but I am encouraged by his willingness to stand by his principles and against this Presidents shameful behavior towards him. But....
Defending Jeff Sessions is not enough. Picking and choosing only the people they like and politically valued victims of aggression by this administration, falls miles short of their charge and the oath they provide when sworn in. They are charged with protecting the Constitution and any aggression that would harm our Republic by and for THE PEOPLE.
Defending Jeff Sessions is not enough. Picking and choosing only the people they like and politically valued victims of aggression by this administration, falls miles short of their charge and the oath they provide when sworn in. They are charged with protecting the Constitution and any aggression that would harm our Republic by and for THE PEOPLE.
1
Anyone help me find the part in the Constitution where a citizen's right to vote is served by moving the polling venue out of easy access? For blacks only. I am having a little trouble defining Mr. Sessions as a law and order kind of guy. He didn't admit to the meeting on his first pass (and if he claims to not remember the Yuge guy with the Russian accent, he's lying) on an important security clearance form. Unfit. Deserving of every Trump rant and tweet. Karma. He was dirty before he joined team Trump. No sympathy.
11
I disagree with Mr. Sessions' stance on many, many issues. Having said that, the treatment he is receiving from President Trump should be instructive to others in the Cabinet...and others throughout the U.S, on how NOT to lead. We are more than 6 months into the Trump presidency and we get a daily lesson (often multiple times in a given day) on how leaders SHOULD NOT comport themselves. In my opinion, President Trump exhibited no leadership skills during the campaign, so I should not be surprised with his behaviors once elected. Unfortunately, I will admit to being surprised at how poor of a leader he truly is.
84
Probity and the letter of the law for white, Christian, straight males. For all others, he just wants to make sure they know their place, which isn't as a full citizen of the United States.
351
"For Mr. Sessions, fealty to the law trumps all. . . . insists on probity and the letter of the law."
Oh nonsense. That is not how I see Sessions. That is not what makes Sessions appeal to his base.
He is the guy who is pushing to limit Title VII so it does not protect gays. He did not have to make that an issue, he is doing that gratuitously just now. That is who Sessions is.
He is also the guy pushing extremes of criminal law.
He is pushing forfeiture efforts that corrupt law enforcement and abuse the 5th Amendment (you can't defend your assets without waiving the 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination).
The guy had to remove himself from the Russia issue because he most definitely was not insisting on probity and the letter of the law.
Bash Trump, but don't make Sessions some sort of hero.
Oh nonsense. That is not how I see Sessions. That is not what makes Sessions appeal to his base.
He is the guy who is pushing to limit Title VII so it does not protect gays. He did not have to make that an issue, he is doing that gratuitously just now. That is who Sessions is.
He is also the guy pushing extremes of criminal law.
He is pushing forfeiture efforts that corrupt law enforcement and abuse the 5th Amendment (you can't defend your assets without waiving the 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination).
The guy had to remove himself from the Russia issue because he most definitely was not insisting on probity and the letter of the law.
Bash Trump, but don't make Sessions some sort of hero.
254
Donald Trump is a lifelong scofflaw.
Jeff Sessions is a lifelong Jim Crow and Christian Shariah lawyer.
The only consistent defenders of American law and civil rights are mostly courtroom judges, journalists, and legal activists.
America is at great legal risk in its current mutated Russian-Republican state.
Jeff Sessions is a lifelong Jim Crow and Christian Shariah lawyer.
The only consistent defenders of American law and civil rights are mostly courtroom judges, journalists, and legal activists.
America is at great legal risk in its current mutated Russian-Republican state.
215
"For better or worse, Mr. Sessions sees the world in black-and-white"
Doesn't Hillyer really mean three-fifths black and white?
Doesn't Hillyer really mean three-fifths black and white?
1
Where were they when he was nominated and being called a Klansman and worse?
I, too, think he is a good man and and I hope he fires the disloyal Rosenstein and the corrupt Mueller.