Attorney General Jeff Sessions Steps Down at Trump’s Request

Jeff Sessions has resigned as attorney general of the United States after President Donald Trump requested his resignation.

In a tweet this afternoon, Trump announced that Sessions would be replaced, at least for the time being, by his chief of staff, Matthew G. Whitaker. In another tweet, Trump thanked Sessions “for his service” and said “a permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.”

Sessions wrote in his resignation letter that he stepped down at Trump’s request. “Since the day I was honored to be sworn in as Attorney General of the United States, I came to work at the Department of Justice every day determined to do my duty and serve my country,” the letter reads, according to HuffPost reporter Ryan Reilly.

The letter went on to tout some of the actions the DOJ took under Sessions’ tenure in regard to criminal justice, gang violence, immigration enforcement, and the opioid crisis. “I have been honored to serve as Attorney General and have worked to implement the law enforcement agenda based on the rule of law that formed a central part of your campaign for the Presidency,” Sessions wrote.