Trump Ramps Up Criticism of AG Sessions

By Jeralyn, Section Trump Administration
Posted on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 03:29:13 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Donald Trump is increasing his attacks on Jeff Sessions. In addition to his recusal on Russia, he's now focusing on investigating Hillary Clinton. He says Sessions is weak on this.

This is classic deflection. He wants the attention off of his children. In his desire to protect them, he's turned into even more of a bullying dictator. Now he not only wants to dictate the outcome of DOJ investigations, he wants to choose what DOJ investigates.

With every turn of the media pump's handle informing us of new allegations of malfeasance by Team Trump, he blasts up the pressure on Republicans. At what point do they feel like fools for voting for him?

Trump seems worried. He must know he's in deep water. He also knows that calling for investigating Hillary will re-energize his under-informed base. He can't afford to lose their support.

Now that he's has a few cabinet and judicial confirmations under his belt, I wouldn't put it past him to try and sneak Rudy Giuliani in the back door to replace Jefferson Sessions. I doubt he's seriously considering Ted Cruz (as was speculated in yesterday's media) because I don't think he'd ever fully trust him. (Cruz will never forget how he used to call him "Lyin' Ted". Neither will we.)

If Rudy Giuliani gets any speaking role in the Trump Administration, I'm going to have a lot of fun re-posting all his peccadilloes. And there are legions of them.

< Repeal of Affordable Health Care Act Advances in Senate | John McCain's Speech to the Senate >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Trump Ramps Up Criticism of AG Sessions | 52 comments (52 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

Dick Durbin (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 05:53:33 PM EST

Just said the dems are going to make sure Trump can not make a recess appointment.

Apparently there are ways they can do that.

Let's cross our fingers.

Pro Forma (none / 0) (#10)
by CoralGables on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 08:09:01 PM EST

it's what's for breakfast in the Senate during the non-recess recess for years now and supported by the Supreme Court.


He sounded like (none / 0) (#12)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 08:11:15 PM EST

They were planning more than that. But you could be right.


Trump could get around (5.00 / 2) (#13)
by CoralGables on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 08:37:32 PM EST

the pro forma and the need for a Senate confirmation hearing until Jan 2019 by naming Rachel Brand as Acting AG if Sessions quits. If Sessions is fired, he could still do it but it may eventually be overturned bu the courts.


Yes, I think Trump (none / 0) (#16)
by KeysDan on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 11:25:50 PM EST

has been advised to avoid bumping into the Vacancies Reform Act: kicks in, "dies, resigns, or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of office." Whether or not this applies to a firing, is uncertain. My guess is that firing was intentionally omitted and Trump is goading Sessions into resigning.


Sessions will not (none / 0) (#17)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 06:09:35 AM EST

Quit. He has been very very clear about that.

And Trump is losing Brietbart, Drudge and Rush.

And still he blusters ahead.


My experience has been (none / 0) (#18)
by CoralGables on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 08:03:57 AM EST

People that have reached the point of saying "I will not quit", usually quit. I'd prefer he is fired. It will give Mueller more bullets.

The question for us is, are we better with Sessions or without him? Sounds like a coin flip.


NDIF (none / 0) (#19)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 08:09:31 AM EST

(No dog in fight)

I'm good either way.

That said I really really think he means it. And as long as he has the United support of the far right why would he quit his dream job of undoing every good thing Holder did?


DailyBeast (none / 0) (#20)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 09:48:37 AM EST

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has no plans to leave office, as friends say he's grown angry with President Donald Trump following a series of attacks meant to marginalize his power and, potentially, encourage his resignation.
"Sessions is totally pissed off about it," said a Sessions ally familiar with his thinking. "It's beyond insane. It's cruel and it's insane and it's stupid."

Who the heck (none / 0) (#21)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 10:38:08 AM EST

knows with the evil neo confederate elf but yeah, the fact that he has the power as AG to make people he loathes suffer has to be what is keeping him in that position.


I think he fights it all the way in (none / 0) (#22)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 11:13:40 AM EST

He gave up his Senate seat for the AG job. He endorsed Trump when nobody else would. Things weren't supposed to turn out like this for him.


Plus. it's not like he doesn't have (none / 0) (#23)
by Anne on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 11:24:06 AM EST

an agenda, and in his position, a much better chance of implementing it than if he'd stayed in the Senate.

So, there's that.

I just hope there are cameras nearby when Trump finally loses his sh!t over it, and the display he puts on will be all the proof anyone needs to invoke the 25th Amendment.


I hope you are correct (none / 0) (#24)
by Zorba on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 11:37:22 AM EST

But I'm not sure even that would be enough to get the Republicans to do something about his removal.
They seem to be thinking that, as long as Trump is able to sign the garbage bills they wind up sending him, it's okay. And what McConnell and Ryan seem the most interested in are tax cuts for the wealthy and slashing programs that actually help people, like Medicaid and food stamps and housing support for the poor. They get that done and then they'll go after slashing and privatizing Medicare and Social Security.
Either that, or they have succumbed to the Trump cult and will all go down with him.


They're damned if they do (none / 0) (#26)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 11:57:40 AM EST

And damned if they don't

Not that I'm shedding a tear or anything

I don't see that they win any way they handle Trump


I'm with you. (none / 0) (#27)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 12:11:59 PM EST

Trump could shoot someone and they would excuse it all in the name of he didn't understand what he was doing or something. These are the most craven cowardly people I have ever seen. I have zero hope for Republicans to ever pick the side of America over their party and the agenda of the party.

And it seems they have some problem with Pence though he would sign everything just as much as Trump will.


It's destroying them though (none / 0) (#29)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 01:04:14 PM EST

Only Trump's extreme base is with them. The political ads are really writing themselves. They will hold nothing with 36% crazy.

If they shifted gears would anyone outside of the extreme vote for them? Is there even enough time to shift gears? If they do it right now Trump will bring down the crazy thunder like we've never seen and he still has enough of a following they'll rip the base to shreds.

They are all fooked.

This is what Fox News costs in the end.


Plus (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 01:07:09 PM EST

It will not stay at 36

That USA Today poll showed a big piece of that is reachable


Rip the base right down the middle! (none / 0) (#31)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 01:10:01 PM EST

Sessions (none / 0) (#32)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 01:11:34 PM EST

Is doing more for the base than Trump. By a sh!tload


: They need to rip it (none / 0) (#34)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 01:17:02 PM EST

They each need to pull until it rips :)

We just need to document now (none / 0) (#33)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 01:15:14 PM EST

Republican Pols are going to say things that can never be condoned or taken back. Everything Republicans do and say since the Comey firing outside of a couple of Republican women in Congress will live in infamy forever! Worse than Watergate! John McCain picked hamburger hill to die on too.


Truthfully (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 03:28:04 PM EST

I will never understand the people who support a carnival barker for president and I know quite a few of them. Reason just doesn't seem to penetrate with them.


Tracy, if the unthinkable happens, (none / 0) (#40)
by Zorba on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 05:32:27 PM EST

And I don't think it will because I don't think even Donald Trump is this nuts, what do you think the military would do if Trump tries to declare martial law?
As I said, I don't think he would do this, but he seems to be slipping into more and more irrationality by the day.


: I'm still stumped by the support (5.00 / 1) (#41)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 08:05:21 PM EST

He's getting. My husband came home pretty upset because a couple of people he now works with expressed support for this transgender ban. It's bizarre Zorba. It was only a couple but come on! They all just finished the transgender training that was supposed to fully implement the new transgender policy.
If he tried to declare martial law I think he'd have takers. I don't know what to make of it either. Bush in the midst of 911 rubble didn't engender this sort of insanity.

: I can hear McMaster (none / 0) (#42)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 08:07:22 PM EST

Soldiersplainin this little bit of martial law to us. I really can

: According to WaPo (none / 0) (#45)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 10:13:48 PM EST

Mattis had a hand in banning transgender serving. He was a little bit complicit. The next thing they'll do is roll back women combat roles. Mattis was against that too and it was the same pleading from him, it damages the lethality of the force. Only a man who never married could believe a woman isn't capable of dispatching him first in a shoot out. The dude's living in a bubble :) Probably dancing around his living room in a camisole right now too

Yes, he's such an evil little <blank> (none / 0) (#25)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 11:55:03 AM EST

In his own right. He was going to deliver some righteous hand of God to this Godless nation. He'll try to stay just for the opportunity of reinvigorating the for profit prison system.

Great theater though...the Jeff Sessions Lobbyists vs the Russia Investigation


Sessions is damaged goods (none / 0) (#28)
by KeysDan on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 01:00:50 PM EST

owing to the reckless handling by Trump. So, having Sessions hang around as long as possible gives Mueller more time and room to move. This, in my view, outweighs the damage inflicted/to be inflicted by the horrible Sessions. (And, any replacement is likely to pick up where he left off)

And, the ill-treatment by Trump may help to erode some winger support...which will be needed. After all, the constitutional crisis has two parts: (a) Trump fires, once again, the investigator investigating him, to obstruct, and (b) Congress, as the institutional safeguard, does nothing about it. Part (b) is the worry, since part (a) is highly probable.


Recess Rudy (none / 0) (#1)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 04:28:02 PM EST

Pack you bags folks.

It appears (none / 0) (#8)
by CoralGables on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 08:02:25 PM EST

there will be no recess and thus no recess appointments.


: Woo hoo (none / 0) (#9)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 08:07:03 PM EST

That's the only way Rudy will ever be AG

Richard Shelby (none / 0) (#2)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 04:54:49 PM EST

In on right now.

Full of praise for Sessions. A man of courage. A man of purpose. A man of substance. Many friends and much support in the Senate and in my state. He was the first to endorse the president and was loyal to him. (Shakes his head) This could have been handled in a different way. We don't need this. It's not good for the president it's not good for politics in general and it's surely not good for the justice department.

I respect THE OFFICE of the president but I have a lot of respect for Jeff Sessions.

Wow

That speech (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 07:59:18 PM EST

about Sessions made me want to barf. Sorry. Shelby can suck an egg. Sessions is as disgusting as Trump and it's almost like Sessions deserves what he's getting. He's finally getting to see what it's like to be a black person. Maybe he'll come out of with some empathy for somebody else.


I did not post it (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 08:00:57 PM EST

Because I agree with it.


: I know you didn't (none / 0) (#15)
by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 09:24:31 PM EST

post it because you agree with it. Even though it is pushback from another Republican against Trump it still made me want to barf hearing praise for that neoconfederate elf.

What I mean is (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 08:10:05 PM EST

This Sessions thing is the very first thing Trump has done that has caused the right to push back. And they, like Shelby, are pushing back.

And Trump is not backing off.

This could end up being quite consequential

It could put the fun back in dysfunction


: Well, for the past six months, (none / 0) (#14)
by Zorba on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 09:12:25 PM EST

The White House has certainly been Dysfunction Junction.

The only thing interesting (none / 0) (#3)
by Militarytracy on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 04:59:52 PM EST

Is the Sessions Trump passive aggressive shoot out.

Everything else is horrifying

: That, and Trump's mouth pursing into (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by Militarytracy on Tue Jul 25, 2017 at 05:02:52 PM EST

A butth*le again. It's so funny how when he isn't depressed and he's full bore on Twitter his mouth becomes a...

Trump now defiling the youth group (none / 0) (#35)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 02:18:57 PM EST

Attached to the American Legion in the rose garden.

Can he avoid talking about orgies this time? They all chanted Bob, and he appeared a little jealous of Bob.

just (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 02:21:11 PM EST

sent MSNBC an email

WHY THE HELL ARE YOU COVERING THIS


They hope he talks about orgies (none / 0) (#37)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 02:22:12 PM EST

To the kids again :)


After Trump teases (none / 0) (#39)
by KeysDan on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 04:37:11 PM EST

the boy scouts about whether or not to tell his risque story, he says "but you know life..you know life." After the orgies on the yacht story, he gave his benediction: now, you will be able to say Merry Christmas again. But no one said Merry Christmas, guess they are waiting and savoring the new opportunity to do so until December.


BSA Chief Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh ... (5.00 / 1) (#48)
by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 02:24:45 PM EST

... has issued a formal apology on behalf of his organization for Trump's behavior at this year's jamboree in West Virginia:

"I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree. That was never our intent. The invitation for the sitting U.S. President to visit the National Jamboree is a long-standing tradition that has been extended to the leader of our nation that has had a Jamboree during his term since 1937. It is in no way an endorsement of any person, party or policies. For years, people have called upon us to take a position on political issues, and we have steadfastly remained non-partisan and refused to comment on political matters. We sincerely regret that politics were inserted into the Scouting program." (Emphasis is mine.)

Nuf ced.


The speech occurred Monday (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by Zorba on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 05:04:23 PM EST

The formal apology you cited occurred Thursday.
Almost seems like they waited until a,whole lot of people not only criticized them, but threatened to remove their donations to the BSA, and remove their sons from scouting.
Oh, well, better late than never.
And I'm glad my kids were in 4-H.


And we'd all turn blue, ... (5.00 / 2) (#50)
by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 05:33:50 PM EST

... were we to collectively hold our breaths in anticipation that the vulgarity-spewing bleached blond would apologize for what he did last Monday. The BSA is embarrassed, and rightly so. Scouting is supposed to be a safe zone where kids can still be kids, even as they learn positive values and skillsets which will serve them well as adults. Shame on those adults who allowed this affront to occur.


: I think there is only one adult (none / 0) (#52)
by Lora on Fri Jul 28, 2017 at 07:48:49 AM EST

Shame on The Donald (from Washington ;)

An abundance of caution? (none / 0) (#51)
by Lora on Fri Jul 28, 2017 at 07:46:50 AM EST

Could be what you say.

Or, maybe the BSA had to carefully craft their statement, sleep on it, have their lawyers vet it, and consider the repercussions before getting it out there. I know it would have taken me a while and a bottle of Rolaids to sort out what to say and how to say it in response to such an unprecedented barrage of craziness from the POTUS.

OF course, they could have not invited him, but it's tradition for them to invite the POTUS to the jamboree, and I suppose it seemed harmless.

I think they were totally blindsided, as we all were, when we found out what his speech consisted of.


Everyone's name is going (none / 0) (#43)
by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 08:12:40 PM EST

To be Merry Christmas at Starbucks


Quote of the Day: (none / 0) (#44)
by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 10:08:53 PM EST

"This is the most astonishing moment I've ever experienced in the Judiciary Committee. To take a question about the firing of James B. Comey and turn it into a question about Hillary Clinton? The chairman has left the room. Justice has left this room. Common sense has left this room. A lot of stuff has left this room, and maybe never entered it."
- Congressman Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), questioning the House Judiciary Committee's decision to probe former FBI Director James Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email invesitgation (July 26, 2017)

: They are obsessed (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 26, 2017 at 10:18:19 PM EST

with Hillary. It is just bizarre.

: They are obsessed with winning (none / 0) (#47)
by Lora on Thu Jul 27, 2017 at 06:38:16 AM EST

Their agenda Trumps all.
The Trumpire strikes back.