Friday, former U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) released a statement criticizing Senator Doug Jones (D-Alabama) voting to rename every American military base and every military item that is named for Southern soldiers who fought for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War:
“The vote by Senator Doug Jones to remove from all military facilities and installations the names of every soldier who fought for the Confederacy betrays the character and decency of every soldier who fought for the South in that bloody and monumental war, whose courage and duty reached the highest levels, on both sides,” Sessions said. “Naming U.S. bases for those who fought for the South was seen as an act of respect and reconciliation towards those who were called to duty by the States. It was not then and is not now an affirmation of slavery. The slavery question had been settled by the war.”
.@DougJones vote to remove from all military facilities and installations the names of every soldier who fought for the Confederacy betrays the character and decency of every soldier who fought for the South in that bloody and monumental war…
— Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) June 12, 2020
“Alabama’s Senator must be able to effectively and honorably explain these things in the Senate and not capitulate to the emotions of the radical left,” Sessions continued. “Instead, Doug Jones has wholly capitulated to the politically correct radicals who are working day and night to erase American history, right before our very eyes.”
“Make no mistake, this is not a little matter,” Sessions said. “It reveals a profound deficit in his understanding of what it means to be Alabama’s Senator. Doug Jones’ vote seeks to erase Alabama’s and America’s history and thousands of Alabamians for doing what they considered to be their duty at the time. Rest assured: I have never cowered from confronting the politically correct mob, and when I return to the Senate, I will boldly stand for Alabama and against the leftist radicals who are seeking to erase our nation’s history.”
Sen. Jones fired back on Twitter.
“Delete your account Jeff,” Jones said and pointed to the bipartisan vote. “I know it’s tough for you to be on the right side of history when it comes to the Confederacy, but you should give it a try.”
Delete your account Jeff. This came out of a Republican controlled Senate committee on a strong bi-partisan vote. I know it’s tough for you to be on the right side of history when it comes to the Confederacy, but you should give it a try. https://t.co/Nuhl5LW9dx
— Doug Jones (@DougJones) June 13, 2020
Sessions responded, “This insane attempt to erase American history has to end.”
Sessions great grandfather was killed at the Battle of Antietam (Battle of Sharpsburg).
Sessions served Alabama in the Senate from 1997 to 2017; but left the seat after he was confirmed as U.S. Attorney General. Jones defeated former Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) in the December 2017 special election to fill the remainder of Sessions’ term. President Donald J. Trump (R) fired Sessions at attorney general in November 2018. Sessions is running in the July 14 Republican primary runoff versus former Auburn head football Coach Tommy Tuberville (R). The winner of the Republican nomination will then face Jones in the November 3 general election.
