Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions said on Thursday the number of controversies that took place during his tenure “exceeded my expectations.”
Sessions spoke at the Justice Department farewell ceremony for Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and made a nod to his recusal from the federal Russia investigation.
“When we came in I had no doubt … there would be a lot of controversies during my tenure — the office of attorney general has frequently found itself at the vortex of law and politics and separation of powers. But in truth I have to say our run exceeded my expectations,” Sessions said to laughter. “Considerably.”
Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions at Rod Rosenstein Farewell Ceremony: “When we came in I had no doubt…there would be a lot of controversies during my tenure…but in truth I have to say our run exceeded my expectations.” pic.twitter.com/AoBci8WoMs
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 9, 2019
In a speech full of praise for his former deputy, Sessions took a quote from Attorney General William Barr, saying that when he recused himself in March 2017, the “baby” fell to Rosenstein.
Sessions, who left the Justice Department in November, was repeatedly criticized by President Trump for his recusal. Trump even said he would not have picked Sessions as his attorney general if he knew the former Alabama senator was going to recuse himself.
Special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation wrapped up earlier this year, finding no sufficient evidence of conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia. The report left open the question of whether Trump committed obstruction of justice.
Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller and oversaw his efforts, submitted his resignation letter late last month and will officially leave the Justice Department on May 11.
Sessions called Rosenstein a “friend and a loyal partner.”
