Attorney General Jeff Sessions defends himself – again – in face of attacks from President Trump

WASHINGTON – In the face of new and threatening criticism from President Donald Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired back Thursday, declaring he would "not be improperly influenced by political considerations."

"I took control of the Department of Justice the day I was sworn in, which is why we have had unprecedented success at effectuating the president’s agenda – one that protects the safety and security and rights of the American people, reduces violent crime, enforces our immigration laws, promotes economic growth, and advances religious liberty," Sessions said in a written statement.

Sessions went on to defend the department, which Trump has subjected to months of withering attacks. Those assaults escalated this week with the conviction of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and the guilty plea entered by former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen.

"While I am attorney general, the actions of the Department of Justice will not be improperly influenced by political considerations," Sessions said. "I demand the highest standards, and where they are not met, I take action.  However, no nation has a more talented, more dedicated group of law enforcement investigators and prosecutors than the United States.

"I am proud to serve with them and proud of the work we have done in successfully advancing the rule of law."

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Sessions' statement came just hours after Trump offered a blistering critique of Sessions during an interview on "Fox & Friends."

Asked whether he intended to fire Sessions or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein after the midterm elections, Trump didn't dismiss the idea. 

The president went into detail about his frustrations with Sessions and the attorney general's decision to recuse himself from overseeing the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election. Sessions' recusal put the case in the hands of Rosenstein who appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller to lead the day-to-day inquiry.

Sessions "took the job, then he said, 'I'm going to recuse myself,'" Trump said in the interview. "I said, 'What kind of a man is this?'"

He said the only reason Sessions was given a job was because of his loyalty to the campaign. Trump dismissed Sessions' as someone who "hasn't taken charge" of the Justice Department.

"Even my enemies say that Jeff Sessions should have told you that he was going to recuse himself," Trump said.

Trump's comments echoed across the capital where some Republican lawmakers jumped to Sessions' defense.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., called the president's criticism "goofy talk."

"It would be a very, very, very bad idea to fire the attorney general because he's not executing his job as a political hack," Sasse said.  "The attorney general's job is to be faithful to the Constitution and to the rule of law."

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called Sessions a "quintessential Boy Scout," who had "dedicated himself" to the Justice Department.

"And I know this is a difficult position for him to be in, but I think it would be bad for the country, it would be bad for the president, it would be bad for the Department of Justice for him to be forced out under these circumstances," Cornyn said. "So, I hope he stays the course and I hope cooler heads prevail."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., however, signaled that a change was likely but not before the mid-term elections.

Graham said the president was "entitled to an attorney general he has faith in."

The South Carolina senator's remarks represented a potential important break among some Republicans who have credited Sessions with backing the president's agenda, specifically on immigration enforcement.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, also suggested that there might be room to consider a new nominee.

"I do have time for hearings on nominees that the president might send up here that I didn’t have last year,” Grassley said.