President Donald Trump chewed out attorney general Jeff Sessions in the Oval Office and called him an ‘idiot’ after Robert Mueller was named as special counsel, according to the latest report of White House turmoil over Russia.
The president considered the act a display of disloyalty from Sessions, his first Senate supporter, in an event that set in motion a wide-ranging probe that now encompasses Trump family members and top campaign officials with subject matter including Russia contacts and possible obstruction.
Trump called Sessions an ‘idiot’ and told him to resign, the New York Times reported. The president told the former Alabama senator that appointing him was one of the worst decisions he had made.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions offered to resign after President Donald Trump blew up at him after learning that Robert Mueller had been named special counsel
Sessions, described in the article as ‘humiliated,’ replied that he would, and furnished a resignation letter. He told associates it was the most humiliating event in his public life.
The president apparently thought better of the decision, and did not accept Sessions’ resignation.
Staffers helping to talk him out of it included Vice President Mike Pence, former chief strategist Steve Bannon, and former chief of staff Reince Priebus.
Trump ultimately returned the resignation letter with a handwritten response which was not detailed int he article.
Trump’s anger about Sessions’ decision to recuse himself from the Russia probe was already known. He vented to the Times in July that it was ‘very unfair to the president.
HUMILIATED: Attorney General Jeff Sessions considered the Oval Office dressing-down the most humiliating event in his public life
For a period of days Trump delivered unusual public criticisms of Sessions, who nevertheless remained in the administration.
The decision set in motion a series of events.
After Sessions recused himself (he had his own undisclosed contacts with Russian officials), deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein oversaw the probe.
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller was then named special prosecutor.
Mueller has hired a team of crack lawyers and prosecutors that are examining Trump campaign contacts with Russia, finances, and other matters.
Explaining Sessions’ decision to remain despite the public criticism, the Times piece cites people close to Sessions as saying he had a chance to impact immigration issues.
It appeared Sessions had scored a victory when he announced an administration decision to end DACA.
That victory is now in doubt, as Trump has sent out conflicting tweets on the issue, tweeting Thursday morning about the issue expressing sympathy for DREAMers.
‘Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really!…They have been in our country for many years through no fault of their own – brought in by parents at young age. Plus BIG border security.’