Attorney General Jeff Sessions Offered Resignation Amid Trump Tensions – Report

After days/weeks of speculation regarding a further degradation of the relationship between President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, ABC is now reporting that things have become so tense that Sessions has actually offered his resignation. The friction allegedly dates back to Session’s abrupt decision in March to recuse himself from anything related to the Russia investigation – a decision Trump only learned about moments before the AG announced it publicly. Per ABC:

Trump’s anger over the recusal has not diminished with time. Two sources close to the president say he has lashed out repeatedly at the attorney general in private meetings, blaming the recusal for the expansion of the Russia investigation, now overseen by Special Counsel and former FBI Director Robert Mueller.

But sources say the frustration runs both ways, prompting the resignation offer from Sessions.

.@jonkarl: After Pres. Trump lashed out at his AG, Sessions said he was more than willing to resign, sources say. https://t.co/EClOtNFCfG pic.twitter.com/YP0O4rRVIf

— ABC News (@ABC) June 6, 2017

Of course, Trump seemingly confirmed the rift earlier this week when he openly criticized the Justice Department over twitter:

People, the lawyers and the courts can call it whatever they want, but I am calling it what we need and what it is, a TRAVEL BAN!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017

The Justice Dept. should have stayed with the original Travel Ban, not the watered down, politically correct version they submitted to S.C.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017

The Justice Dept. should ask for an expedited hearing of the watered down Travel Ban before the Supreme Court – & seek much tougher version!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2017

 

And when asked specifically about the relationship earlier today during his daily press briefing, Press Secretary Sean Spicer declined to comment which only served to fan the flames of speculation.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sean Spicer was asked today if the president still has confidence in his attorney general. He could not say.

“I have not had that discussion with him,” Spicer said.

“So you can’t say if he has confidence in his attorney general?” Spicer was asked.

Spicer responded: “I said I have not had a discussion with him on the question. I don’t, If I haven’t had a discussion about a subject, I tend not to speak about it.”

Of course, the media has prematurely predicted the early demise of several Trump appointees, including Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner, so only time will tell if there is any truth in this most recent, anonymously-sourced prediction or if it’s simply more wishful thinking from the MSM.