Wednesday, White House Chief of Staff, General John Kelly phoned Attorney General Jeff Sessions and asked for his resignation. Sessions, who serves at the pleasure of the President, submitted his letter of resignation. It was accepted by President Donald J. Trump (R). Alabama Leaders responded to the shocking news.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan said of Sessions, “A man of integrity, Jeff Sessions has led the Department of Justice with dignity and a firm commitment to the rule of law. His reputation as a dedicated public servant precedes his many years of honorable service to our nation.”
“From his time as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, Alabama Attorney General, U.S. Senator, to the 84th Attorney General of the United States, Alabamians have strongly supported Jeff Sessions,” Chairman Lathan said. “Whether it’s running into him at a restaurant, football game, or a local church service – many view Jeff Sessions as not just an elected official, but also a dear friend. In our hearts, we hold a deep sense of love and admiration for Jeff Sessions and his family.”
“A true Alabama statesman, Jeff Sessions has been a warrior for President Trump’s conservative agenda,” Lathan continued. “From enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, fighting opioid abuse to strongly supporting members of our law enforcement, Jeff Sessions has consistently made Alabama proud. His service can be most accurately summed up in our state’s motto: ‘We dare defend our rights.’ Unwavering and resolute, our country needs more public servants like Jeff Sessions. We are blessed and are stronger because of his humble sacrifices through his lifetime of service to Alabama and America.”
Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) said, “Jeff Sessions honorably and ably served as a United States Attorney, Alabama Attorney General, United States Senator, and U.S. Attorney General. Throughout his long career of public service, Jeff’s deep love of country was evident in his unwavering devotion to upholding America’s foundational principles as enshrined in our Constitution. He served with integrity and dignity. I’m proud to have worked alongside him as both a prosecutor in Alabama and member of Congress.”
“I have been fortunate to know Jeff Sessions for a quarter of a century,” Brooks said. “As an elected official, Jeff Sessions never wavered in his fierce defense of the Rule of Law and America’s sovereign right to defend and secure its own borders. Jeff Sessions has made Alabama proud. I wish him the best as he embarks on his next journey.”
“Thank you to my good friend, Jeff Sessions, for over 40 years of noble service to Alabama and our country,” U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) said. “Jeff was a respected colleague of mine in the Senate for two decades and represented our nation with honor as the U.S. Attorney General. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
““Attorney General Jeff Sessions served our nation and the Department of Justice as he always has done…with honor,” U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town said in a statement. “His leadership successfully implemented President Trump’s many priorities, to include reducing violent crime, aggressively addressing the opioid epidemic, and bringing rule of law principles to trade, immigration, and national security issues. He leaves the Department of Justice stronger than ever.”
“I’ve known Jeff Sessions for almost four decades, and I applaud his dedicated service to Alabama and our country,” said Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose). “I wish him and Mary nothing but the best. I’m confident President Trump will nominate an Attorney General who will continue to be strong on illegal immigration and work to enforce the rule of law in our country.”
Former U.S. Senator Luther Strange (R-Alabama) was quick on Twitter to say what everybody else was wondering. “Jeff Sessions for Senate in 2020!”
Then Alabama Attorney General Strange was appointed to Sessions’ U.S. Senate seat when Sessions vacated it to accept Trump’s appointment as AG. Alabama Republicans were bitterly divided on who they wanted in the Senate. Strange bested Brooks in the Republican primary; but lost to former Chief Justice Roy Moore in the Republican primary runoff. Moore then lost to former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones (D) in the special election last December. Jones is up for reelection in 2020.
Sessions is one of the most popular people in Alabama politics ever; but his popularity may have taken a hit from the incessant pounding he received from Pres. Trump and conservative pundits who are angry with Sessions for his decision to recuse himself from the Russian collusion investigation.
