Though confirmed by the Senate more than three months ago, Jeff Sessions has a chance to finally step into the role of attorney general on Tuesday. Barely 15 minutes into a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing and Sessions was raging.
The fiery former Alabama senator took a swipe at his “rambling” colleague Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., corrected the record about his meeting with the Russian ambassador, and slammed suggestions that he colluded with that country to meddle in the 2016 presidential election as a “detestable lie.”
“The suggestion that I participated in any collusion or that I was aware of any collusion with the Russian government to hurt this country, which I have served with honor for over 35 years, or to undermine the integrity of our democratic process,” an agitated Sessions said, “is an appalling and detestable lie.”
As far as opening statements go, that’s the equivalent of a congressional uppercut.
Outside the ring due to his March decision to recuse himself from the Russian investigation, Sessions clearly wants to do more than correct the record. He wants to make up for lost time by going on the offensive.
Trump reportedly grew tired of Sessions’ inactivity, so much so that the top cop offered to resign his post. The president reportedly declined that suggestion. Now in front of the Senate, Sessions is trying to live up to merit that second chance. If he succeeds, if he comes out of the hearing unscathed, Sessions can help dispel the Russian hysteria and help himself back into the president’s good graces.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
