Trump lines up candidates to replace sacked Jeff Sessions

Donald Trump’s firing of his attorney general triggered Democratic fears of a “constitutional crisis” if the White House moves to impede the Russia investigation, while the president himself was looking at a list of candidates for the post.

The sacking of Jeff Sessions loomed large over the policy debate in Washington on Thursday, two days after the midterm elections that gave Democrats a majority in the House and will bring more oversight of the White House.

In both camps, Republican and Democratic, there is a consensus that the dismissal was about the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and Mr Trump’s desire to have an attorney general who would protect him rather than recuse himself from the process, as Mr Sessions did last year without consulting the White House.

The appointment of Matthew Whitaker, Mr Sessions’ chief of staff, as acting attorney general rather than Assistant Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, appeared to be the first step towards that end.

Mr Whitaker has criticised the special counsel and said his investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election had gone too far. According to experts, he can choose to conceal the indictments and cut funding for Mr Mueller’s inquiry.

The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr, has reportedly told friends that he expects to be indicted.

Roger Stone, a longtime adviser to Mr Trump, is another name that Mr Mueller