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Trump Pick's Sessions for Attorney General: Will He Face Obstacles?

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President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Senator Jeff Sessions to be the attorney general of the United States.

Sessions was a long-time supporter of Trump's presidency and endorsed him early in his campaign.

Sessions is currently serving as a U.S. Senator from Alabama and previously as the state's Attorney General. He is known for his hardline views on immigration and counterterrorism. 

He has vocally supported the mass deportation of illegal immigrants. He's also been quick to link terrorism to radical Islam.

"No one will work harder than Jeff Sessions to defend the freedoms and safety of all Americans as Attorney General," Jim DeMint, former U.S. Senator and President of the Heritage Foundation, said. 

"He is not intimidated by the liberal media or the Washington establishment," he added. "He has the courage and the proven record to take on special interests. He is passionate about defending the Constitution and the rule of law to protect the rights of everyone." 

Trumps' choice does not come without relentless controversy and accusations of racism.

Sessions was hounded for allegedly making racist comments to a black assistant in 1986, calling him "boy" and labeling the NAACP as "communist-inspired" and "un-American."

Sessions denied making those comments.

The allegations of racism only intensified several years later when he was criticized for joking with an attorney from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division that the KKK was "OK" until he heard they smoked marijuana. It was an off-hand joke that earned him plenty of criticism.

Sessions later apologized, calling it a "silly comment," and condemned the KKK as a "force for hatred and bigotry."

The comment came at a time when his office was investigating the 1981 lynching of a black man in Alabama named Michael Donald. Two Klansman brutaly slit Donald's throat and hung him from a tree. Sessions made sure they were arrested and convicted of his murder.

"He couldn't have been more supportive of making sure we got convicted the murderers of the last black man who was lynched by the Klan," said Barry Kowalski, former Justice Department attorney who worked with Sessions on the case.

Sessions' confirmation hearing for the position of Attorney General could take place as early as January. Many are concerned his fellow Republicans could be upset by his previous racial controversies and not vote for him.

However, there are many Republican leaders who vow to stand by him in the hearing.

"I strongly support the President-elect's intention to nominate Senator Jeff Sessions to be the next United States Attorney General," says U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Jeff is principled, forthright, and hardworking. He cares deeply about his country and the department he will be nominated to lead.

Senator Ted Cruz made similar comments.

"Sen. Jeff Sessions' nomination as attorney general is great news for all of us who revere the Constitution and the rule of law," Cruz said.

Sessions is even supported by those who do not always agree with his policies.

"Senator Sessions is well liked and well regarded, even by those who don't always agree with him. I look forward to supporting his nomination," says senator Jeff Flake from Arizona.

The pro-life community is very pleased with Sessions nomination, as he is a longtime ally of the movement. Susan B. Anthony List president Marjorie Dannenfelser said his appointment will bring a much-welcomed change in the fight against the abortion industry.
 
"We look forward to working with him and supporting him as he enforces current and future pro-life laws, including those President-elect Trump has pledged to advance," she said. "A pro-life Attorney General will be a welcome change."

When asked if he thought he would be confirmed as Attorney General, Sessions said it was not for him to decide.

"People have to make that decision. The actual senators will cast those votes on any confirmation," Sessions said.

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