Here’s the MJ Stocks take on how it all happened…
Another Trump administration cabinet member bites the dust as President Trump announced Wednesday that Attorney General Jeff Sessions submitted his formal resignation, ending Sessions’ tumultuous career in office.
“WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MATTHEW G. WHITAKER, CHIEF OF STAFF TO ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WILL BECOME OUR NEW ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES. HE WILL SERVE OUR COUNTRY WELL.”
–PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ON TWITTER
Sessions, 71, served as US Attorney General for roughly two years, during which he threatened sanctuary cities with funding cuts if they allowed illegal immigrants to enter the U.S., and an arguably ineffective job with Justice Department’s investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 election. Though former Attorney General Sessions was public one of Trump’s most vocal supporters during the 2016 campaign season, sources close to the administration have anticipated this move for weeks.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions sent President Trump his official resignation letter:
“AT YOUR REQUEST, I AM SUBMITTING MY RESIGNATION,” SESSIONS WROTE IN AN UNDATED LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT.
“SINCE THE DAY I WAS HONORED TO BE SWORN IN AS ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, I CAME TO WORK AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSITCE EVERY DAY DETERMINED TO DO MY DUTY AND SERVE MY COUNTRY,” SESSIONS WROTE. “I HAVE DONE SO TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, WORKING TO SUPPORT THE FUNDAMENTAL LEGAL PROCESSES THAT ARE THE FOUNDATION OF JUSTICE.”
-ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS
The Guardian Reports
Trump said in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon that Matthew Whitaker, Sessions’ chief of staff and a critic of Mueller’s inquiry, had been appointed acting attorney general and that a permanent replacement would be nominated later.
Whitaker, 49, will take charge of the inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump’s campaign. Sarah Isgur Flores, a justice department spokeswoman, said in an email: “The acting attorney general is in charge of all matters under the purview of the Department of Justice.”
Democrats expressed concern that the president was moving to sabotage Mueller’s investigation, which has obtained guilty pleas to federal criminal charges from Trump’s former campaign chairman, deputy campaign chairman, White House national security adviser and campaign foreign policy adviser.
Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, said in a statement that Whitaker should recuse himself from the Russia issue in light of “his previous comments advocating defunding and imposing limitations on the Mueller investigation”.
Trump’s decision concluded a long-running public feud between the president and his beleaguered attorney general.
Sessions said in an undated letter to Trump released on Wednesday: “At your request, I am submitting my resignation.” He took credit for reversing a recent rise in violent crime and for taking a hardline stance on illegal immigration and gangs.
