Trump forces Sessions to resign
Former AG’s chief of staff to oversee Mueller’s probe
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned Wednesday at President Donald Trump’s request, ending the tenure of a beleaguered loyalist whose relationship with the president was ruined when Sessions recused himself from control of the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.
In a letter to Trump, Sessions wrote he had been “honored to serve as Attorney General” and had “worked to implement the law enforcement agenda based on the rule of law that formed a central part of your campaign for the presidency.” Trump tweeted that Sessions would be replaced on an acting basis by Matthew Whitaker, who had been serving as Sessions’ chief of staff.
“We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well!” Trump tweeted. “A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.”
A Justice Department official said Whitaker would assume authority over the special counsel
probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election — though his role will be subject to the normal review process for conflicts. Because Sessions was recused, the special counsel probe had been overseen by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who also has had strained relations with Trump, but is considered safe in his position for the moment. Rosenstein went to the White House on Wednesday afternoon for what an official said was a prescheduled meeting.
Though Sessions’ removal was long expected, the installation of Whitaker sparked fears that the president might be trying to exert control over the special counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller.
A legal commentator before he came into the Justice Department, Whitaker had mused publicly about how a Sessions replacement might reduce Mueller’s budget “so low that his investigation grinds to almost a halt.”
Democrats and others issued statements Wednesday urging that Mueller be left do to his work and vowing to investigate whether Sessions’ ouster was meant to interfere with the special counsel. Come January, Democrats will have subpoena power, having retaken the House in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
“Congress must now investigate the real reason for this termination, confirm that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker is recused from all aspects of the special counsel’s probe and ensure that the Department of Justice safeguards the integrity of the Mueller investigation,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement, “No one is above the law and any effort to interfere with the Special Counsel’s investigation would be a gross abuse of power by the President. While the President may have the authority to replace the Attorney General, this must not be the first step in an attempt to impede, obstruct or end the Mueller investigation.”
Senator-elect Mitt Romney, R-Utah, tweeted that it was “imperative” Mueller’s work be allowed to continue unimpeded.
A spokesman for Mueller’s office declined to comment.
A person close to Sessions, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attorney general shared the president’s frustration with the pace of the Russia inquiry, and wished that it had been completed. But Sessions also thought that by staying in the job, he had protected the investigation’s integrity, the person said. In the long run, Sessions is convinced that the country will be better served by the investigation proceeding naturally, as the findings will be more credible to the American public, the person said.
Justice Department officials had been bracing for Sessions’ ouster. He told confidants earlier this week that he expected Trump to fire him or push him out soon after the midterm elections, and friends urged him to quit and consider running again for a Senate seat in Alabama. Still, some senior leaders at the Justice Department were shocked to hear the news Wednesday.
Sessions received a phone call Wednesday from White House chief of staff John Kelly — before the president held a news conference to discuss the midterm election results — telling him the president wanted Sessions to resign, an administration official said.
Sessions sought to stay on the job at least until the end of the week, according to people familiar with the discussion. Kelly rejected that suggestion, insisting Wednesday would be his last day, the people said. Sessions canceled meetings and scheduled one for later in the day, where he would say goodbye to his staff.
Another person said other Cabinet officials also were in jeopardy.