Trump Criticizes Jeff Sessions' Performance; 'I Don't Have an Attorney General'

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, once again criticized Jeff Sessions, the Attorney General, on Wednesday, September 19, stating, 'I don't have an Attorney General.' In an interview with Hill.TV published on Wednesday, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Sessions' performance, particularly regarding his withdrawal from the investigation into Russia. Trump remarked, 'He was the first senator to support me (in the election), he wanted to be Attorney General, and I didn't realize this.' The President added, 'He then entered the nomination phase (for the Attorney General position) and appeared very weak. I mean, he was confused and disoriented, and people who had worked with him in the Senate for many years were not good with him, but he gave muddled answers. Answers that could have been straightforward.' According to the Associated Press, hours after the interview aired, Trump spoke about Sessions in a softer tone. At the White House, he told reporters, 'I have been disappointed with the Attorney General for many reasons, but we have an Attorney General.' Trump has previously stated multiple times that Sessions should not have recused himself from the investigation regarding Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election. From Trump's perspective, Sessions' withdrawal from the investigation led to Robert Mueller's appointment as special counsel, who is now investigating the potential relationship between Russia and Trump's campaign. The President, who denies any collusion between his campaign and Russia, has repeatedly expressed regret over having entrusted the Justice Department to Sessions. Sessions recused himself from the investigation into possible connections between Trump's campaign and the Russian government after it became known that he did not disclose his meeting with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador in Washington, during Trump's campaign. He made this decision without consulting Trump. In the interview, Trump stated that he is dissatisfied with Sessions' performance on many issues. The President emphasized, 'I am not happy with (the issues) at the border, I am not happy with many issues, it is not just this.' However, regarding Sessions' future in his administration, Trump said, 'We'll see what happens.' Trump has the authority to dismiss Sessions, but he has not done so yet. On the other hand, Sessions has stated that he will not voluntarily resign from his position.