Trump publicly attacks Sessions for recusing from the Russia investigation
The president said he would not have appointed Sessions had he known, applying sustained pressure over an ethics-required law-enforcement boundary.
Entities and roles
- Donald J. TrumpDonald Trump network root
- Jeff Sessionsformer Trump attorney general and first Senate endorser
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. Trumpattorney general and first Senate endorserJeff Sessions
Claims and evidence
- factreported
Trump escalated public attacks on Sessions, calling the attorney general weak and saying he never would have appointed him had Sessions disclosed the recusal decision. Sessions had recused after Justice Department ethics advice because of his campaign role. The pressure targeted an attorney general for relinquishing control of an investigation touching the president's campaign, rather than for a policy disagreement alone.
- Associated Press: Trump escalates public attacks on Attorney General SessionsPublic attacks, appointment-regret statement, and Sessions response
- U.S. Department of Justice: Attorney General Sessions Statement on RecusalSessions recusal statement and scope of matters transferred under ethics advice