On Tuesday, January 31, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on President Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III. If the last few days show anything, it’s that Sessions is the wrong person for the job.
I’ve written previously about how, as the U.S. Attorney for Alabama, Sessions abused his authority to prosecute civil rights advocates seeking to register African American voters. This egregious action takes on even greater importance as President Trump is demanding a federal investigation of unsubstantiated voter fraud and signed an executive order banning refugees and citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries (significantly, excluding nations in which Trump is doing business) from entering the US.
Thus far, executive power in Trump’s hands is a tool for settling scores about who really won the election and stoking fear and discord. To date the legislative branch has stood by mutely, rather than providing a much needed check. And, as Attorney General, Jeff Sessions will make matters worse.