Jeff Sessions hits back at Trump criticism
US attorney general defends his position in the wake of ongoing Trump attacks

US attorney general Jeff Sessions has issued a striking rebuke to Donald Trump, after the US president attacked the justice department during a Fox News interview yesterday.
The Guardian reports that Trump “reprised a litany of complaints about the justice department and the FBI, attacking both without providing evidence they had treated him and his supporters unfairly”, in the wake of Michael Cohen’s guilty plea and Paul Manafort’s conviction earlier this week.
During the interview, Trump accused Sessions of losing control of the justice department, and blamed him for what he called “corruption” within the department over special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“I took control of the department of justice the day I was sworn in,” Sessions said. "While I am attorney general, the actions of the department of justice will not be improperly influenced by political considerations.”
The rebuke from Sessions comes amid growing reports that Sessions will be fired by Trump following the mid-term elections in November.
Politico reports that Republicans have warned Trump not to remove Sessions from his role because “they would not confirm a successor”.
However prominent Republican Lindsey Graham appeared to back down from that stance yesterday, “appearing almost to encourage Trump to send Sessions packing”, Politco says.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Spaniards seeing red over bullfighting
Under the Radar Shock resignation of top matador is latest blow in culture war over tradition that increasingly divides Spain
-
Bailouts: Why Trump is rescuing Argentina
Feature The White House approved a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina
-
James indictment: Trump’s retribution
Feature Trump pursues charges against Letitia James in revenge for her civil fraud lawsuit
-
Bailouts: Why Trump is rescuing Argentina
Feature The White House approved a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina
-
Judge halts firings during government shutdown
Feature A federal judge blocked President Trump’s plan to cut jobs tied to “Democrat programs,” ruling that his administration violated layoff laws during the shutdown
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leak
Speed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
‘France may well be in store for a less than rocambolesque future’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroom
speed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deployment
Speed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies
Speed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
Conservative megadonors build a new bank thanks to Trump administration approval
IN THE SPOTLIGHT With a Lord Of The Rings-inspired name, and the backing of some of the biggest GOP financiers around, Erebor Bank is set to make major waves in the crypto world