Share

Trump Expresses Frustration with Sessions, 'I Wish I Did' Pick Another AG

Share

President Donald Trump expressed his desire on Wednesday that he had picked someone other than Jeff Sessions as attorney general in light of the AG’s decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation.

Trump quoted comments made by Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., that Sessions should have informed the president if he intended to recuse.

Trump tweeted, “Rep.Trey Gowdy, ‘I don’t think so, I think what the President is doing is expressing frustration that Attorney General Sessions should have shared these reasons for recusal before he took the job, not afterward.”

He continued quoting Gowdy, “If I were the President and I picked someone to be the country’s chief law enforcement officer, and they told me later, ‘oh by the way I’m not going to be able to participate in the most important case in the office,’ I would be frustrated too.”

“That’s how I read that – Senator Sessions, why didn’t you tell me before I picked you. There are lots of really good lawyers in the country, he could have picked somebody else!'” Trump added at the end of the Gowdy quote, “And I wish I did!”

Trending:
Federal Judge Has Bad News for Hunter Biden, Says There's Zero Evidence His Charges Are Politically Motivated

Gowdy’s comment came in response to a question on “CBS This Morning” on Wednesday regarding a New York Times report that Trump asked Sessions to retain control of the Russia investigation in March 2017, which the attorney general refused to do.

Do you think Jeff Sessions should resign?

According to The Times story, “The confrontation, which has not been previously reported, is being investigated by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, as are the president’s public and private attacks on Mr. Sessions and efforts to get him to resign. Mr. Trump dwelled on the recusal for months, according to confidants and current and former administration officials who described his behavior toward the attorney general.”

“The special counsel’s interest demonstrates Mr. Sessions’s overlooked role as a key witness in the investigation into whether Mr. Trump tried to obstruct the inquiry itself,” The Times added, noting another avenue of inquiry by Mueller is the firing of former FBI Director James Comey.

“This Morning” host Norah O’Donnell asked Gowdy if Trump’s urging of Sessions not to recuse himself constituted obstruction of justice.

“I don’t think so,” responded Gowdy, who is a former federal prosecutor. He then continued in the words Trump quoted.

Liberal legal scholar Alan Dershowitz agreed with Gowdy’s assessment regarding Sessions as AG, contending that Trump deserves to have an attorney general in place who could oversee the Russia inquiry.

“The president was entirely correct,” Dershowitz told Fox News responding to Trump’s tweets. “I think that Sessions should have advised him that if the investigation moves toward Russia he would have to recuse.”

Related:
DeSantis Declares 'We Have Been Vindicated' as Disney Concedes Defeat in Long-Running Legal Battle

“The president would then have said, ‘Thank you, Mr. Sessions, you’re a great man, but I want somebody in the office of attorney general who can be in charge of any investigation.’ Also, the minute he recused himself, he should have offered his resignation,” Dershowitz added.

The lawyer observed that Sessions put Trump in an “untenable situation” by bowing out of the “most important investigation being conducted.”

“The president is entitled to loyalty from his attorney general, the way Robert Kennedy gave loyalty to John Kennedy…and the way Obama’s attorney general gave loyalty to his president.”

Trump has called the impartiality of Mueller’s investigation into question multiple times, indicating the special counsel’s team is in actuality conducting a partisan “witch hunt” aimed at him.

On Tuesday, he tweeted, “The 13 Angry Democrats (plus people who worked 8 years for Obama) working on the rigged Russia Witch Hunt, will be MEDDLING with the mid-term elections, especially now that Republicans (stay tough!) are taking the lead in Polls. There was no Collusion, except by the Democrats!”

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,
Share
Randy DeSoto has written more than 2,000 articles for The Western Journal since he joined the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto is the senior staff writer for The Western Journal. He wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




Conversation