Jeff Sessions (Attorney General)
3/1 Update:
Well, this page revived itself rather quickly, did it not?
Background:
So you guys know the drill. Let's do a tiny bit of backtracking. I promise, it won't be as long as some of the other pages.
February 1st: Sessions testifies to Senate Judiciary, and has this exchange with Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota).
February 1st: Sessions testifies to Senate Judiciary, and has this exchange with Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota).
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February 8th: Jeff Sessions is confirmed.
Between February 8th - March 1st: A whole lot of what you would basically expect, happens.
March 1st: Washington Post releases a story, saying that Sessions has been in contact with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. The internet rightly explodes.
Between February 8th - March 1st: A whole lot of what you would basically expect, happens.
March 1st: Washington Post releases a story, saying that Sessions has been in contact with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. The internet rightly explodes.
SO.... what happens now?
- The White House is now trying to spin this as: "Hey, Sessions totally met with Kislyak in his role as a member of the armed services."
- But ask yourselves: 1) Why would the Russian ambassador meet with the random senator from Alabama, when said Russian ambassador has the option to meet with Chairman John McCain?
- 2) And even if Sessions and Kislyak were meeting for perfectly legitimate reasons, why would Sessions lie about it to Al Franken/Patrick Leahy? There's no point in lying about something so supposedly innocent.
- Lying or perjurying yourself in front of Congress, is a violation of 1621 and 1001, which SHOULD result in jail time. (Disclaimer: There have been only 6 convictions for lying, but this is a tiny bit different.)
Ok, so Sessions is clearly as bad as we all thought. what do we do now?
We have a longer list of people to call/email/fax.
Optional:
- Our members of Congress
- BOTH of our Senators
- House Intelligence: Minority Staff Office: (202) 225-7690/ Majority Staff: (202) 225-4121
- Senate Intelligence committees: (202) 224-1700
- (All the better, if you have members who serve on either committee)
Optional:
- Judiciary committees - optional, since the previous three options are more appropriate, when dealing with a foreign actor
- The DOJ comments line (or 202-353-1555). It's basically poking a bear in the bear's cave.
We will be asking for:
Email/Fax Call Script:
For your MoC/SENATOR:
Date
Name
Address
Address
Dear [elected official name]:
I am writing to ask that you support a special prosecutor against Attorney General Jeff Sessions, for lying to Congress during his confirmation hearings. Claiming under oath that he has never met Russian Ambassador Kislyak, is a violation of §1001 and §1621, and normally results in jail time. Even if AG Sessions claims that the omission was unintentional, this should still be investigated.
I am also asking that you support a bipartisan investigation, and an independent commission to investigate the Trump administration's ties to Russia, with the understanding that AG Sessions must recuse himself from taking part in those investigations. There are many unanswered questions involving the White House's connections, and the Sessions revelation, reaffirms that there are many unanswered questions
Finally, I am asking that you take a public stand against AG Sessions, and his conduct. Misleading Congress sets a questionable precedent, particularly from a public official.
Warmest regards
[name]
[address]
[address]
For House/Senate Intelligence:
Dear [House/Senate Intelligence]:
I am writing to ask that the committee take a substantial look into both Attorney General's Sessions ties to Russia, and how his omission about communication with Kislyak - which is a violation of §1001 and §1621, and normally results in jail time. - ties into ongoing questions about the Trump White House's ties with Russia.
I am also asking that the committee agree to a bipartisan investigation into the Trump's ties to the White House, and support an independent commission to investigate. There are many outstanding answers, and they're owed to the American people.
Warmest regards,
[name]
[address]
[address]
I am writing to ask that the committee take a substantial look into both Attorney General's Sessions ties to Russia, and how his omission about communication with Kislyak - which is a violation of §1001 and §1621, and normally results in jail time. - ties into ongoing questions about the Trump White House's ties with Russia.
I am also asking that the committee agree to a bipartisan investigation into the Trump's ties to the White House, and support an independent commission to investigate. There are many outstanding answers, and they're owed to the American people.
Warmest regards,
[name]
[address]
[address]
Call script: (Please personalize for your MoC and Senator)
You: Hello! My name is [name]. I'm calling from [zip code].
You: I'm calling to encourage [MoC/Senator] to please support the calls for a special prosecutor for AG Sessions. He violated §1001 and §1621, which normally results in jail time. Even if AG Sessions claims that the omission was unintentional, this should still be investigated.
You: I would like to also ask [MoC/Senator] support a bipartisan investigation/independent commission to investigate the Trump White House's ties with Russia.
You: The Sessions revelation indicates that there continue to be unanswered questions about Russia's involvement with our government, and I believe that the American people are owed answers.
You: Can I ask [MoC/Senator] support these requests?
If so: GREAT! Thanks and have a good day!
If not: I'd like to ask [MoC/Senator] please reconsider their position. Russia is a foreign, often hostile state and hard target, and their continue interference in our government is troubling, and alarming.
You: Thank you and have a good day.
You: I'm calling to encourage [MoC/Senator] to please support the calls for a special prosecutor for AG Sessions. He violated §1001 and §1621, which normally results in jail time. Even if AG Sessions claims that the omission was unintentional, this should still be investigated.
You: I would like to also ask [MoC/Senator] support a bipartisan investigation/independent commission to investigate the Trump White House's ties with Russia.
You: The Sessions revelation indicates that there continue to be unanswered questions about Russia's involvement with our government, and I believe that the American people are owed answers.
You: Can I ask [MoC/Senator] support these requests?
If so: GREAT! Thanks and have a good day!
If not: I'd like to ask [MoC/Senator] please reconsider their position. Russia is a foreign, often hostile state and hard target, and their continue interference in our government is troubling, and alarming.
You: Thank you and have a good day.
To Senate/House intelligence: (You probably won't get solid answer from either committee, so you're calling w/ script that reflects as much):
You: I'm calling to encourage [committee] support the public's requests for an investigation into both Attorney General's Sessions ties to Russia, and how his omission about communication with Kislyak - which is a violation of §1001 and §1621, and normally results in jail time. - ties into ongoing questions about the Trump White House's ties with Russia.
You: I would like to also ask [committee] support requests for an independent commission investigating the Trump White House's ties with Russia.
You: Thank you, and have a good day!
You: I'm calling to encourage [committee] support the public's requests for an investigation into both Attorney General's Sessions ties to Russia, and how his omission about communication with Kislyak - which is a violation of §1001 and §1621, and normally results in jail time. - ties into ongoing questions about the Trump White House's ties with Russia.
You: I would like to also ask [committee] support requests for an independent commission investigating the Trump White House's ties with Russia.
You: Thank you, and have a good day!
Pre-Confirmation vote:
Why he is unqualified: It's impossible to get into Senator Session's entire record, as it spans several decades and several positions.
However, start with this case. A number of his colleagues have recently cited his precedent in this case, as a sign that he acts justly in the face of racis. But it remains unclear if that's the actual truth.
He's also faced streneous questions over his 1986 hearings to become a federal judge, where he was deemed too racist to sit on the bench. Again, he's claming the accusations were false, but they've continued to dog his career. Similarly, check out these five questions on his record.
There are also allegations of retaliation after he lost the judgeship. He's also criticized the Black Lives Matter movement. He also hates immigration - including legal amnesty - and doesn't believe in climate change. The Congressional Black Caucus is vigorously opposed to the appointment. So is Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) after meeting with him.
However, start with this case. A number of his colleagues have recently cited his precedent in this case, as a sign that he acts justly in the face of racis. But it remains unclear if that's the actual truth.
He's also faced streneous questions over his 1986 hearings to become a federal judge, where he was deemed too racist to sit on the bench. Again, he's claming the accusations were false, but they've continued to dog his career. Similarly, check out these five questions on his record.
There are also allegations of retaliation after he lost the judgeship. He's also criticized the Black Lives Matter movement. He also hates immigration - including legal amnesty - and doesn't believe in climate change. The Congressional Black Caucus is vigorously opposed to the appointment. So is Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) after meeting with him.
After the confirmation hearing:
A LOT happened during the confirmation hearing, including:
- Sessions potentially lying about participating/leading desegregation cases (and getting quite upset over a discussion of that fact)
- Sessions not wanting immigrant in the military
- Sessions stating he won't recuse himself on any investigations regarding Trump (<- this one is largely a post-confirmation story though)
- Sessions hesitating on Roe V. Wade, stating it's still the "worst closely erroneous Supreme Court decisions of all time," but reluctantly saying he'll uphold
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What next?
- Refer back to the senate confirmation hearing page for how this works. Look for the infographic.
- The Sessions vote in committee is scheduled to begin today in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. (PLEASE take a moment to review the questionnaire.)
- If one of your members sits on the committee, please make sure you call them.
- You can also call the committee at:202-224-5225
- But even if your representatives do not sit on the committee, make sure you call them as well. They will also have to vote.
Talking points:
- Sessions has a very unsteady track record with civil rights (see above cases)
- Sessions has potentially lied about desegregation cases
- Sessions's wording on Roe v. Wade is troubling, despite agreement to uphold
- Sessions may not support a Muslim ban, but is still opposed to immigrants in the military - why are they not patriots too?
- Sessions will not recuse himself on DOJ investigations involving Trump's conflict of interests.
Email script:
Email draft: (Please personalize and cite examples from above. DO NOT SEND A FORM LETTER)
Dear [Elected]:
I am writing to ask that you please vote NO for Senator Sessions for Attorney General. While he has a long-serving track record in the Senate, I do have concerns about his qualifications for the specific position of AG.
He has an uneven track record when it comes to civil rights, particularly when it comes to voting rights and immigration rights. He has also demonstrated troubling answers when it comes to discrimination against women and the LGBTQ community. He has also referred to Muslims, as a "toxic ideology". Please vet whether he is an acceptable nominee to serve as Attorney General for all Americans.
Warmest regards,
[Name]
[address]
[address]
[Phone number]
Dear [Elected]:
I am writing to ask that you please vote NO for Senator Sessions for Attorney General. While he has a long-serving track record in the Senate, I do have concerns about his qualifications for the specific position of AG.
He has an uneven track record when it comes to civil rights, particularly when it comes to voting rights and immigration rights. He has also demonstrated troubling answers when it comes to discrimination against women and the LGBTQ community. He has also referred to Muslims, as a "toxic ideology". Please vet whether he is an acceptable nominee to serve as Attorney General for all Americans.
Warmest regards,
[Name]
[address]
[address]
[Phone number]
Phone script:
You: "Hello, my name is [name]. I'm a constituent calling from [zip code].
You: "I am calling to urge [elected name] to vote NO for Senator Sessions for Attorney General."
OR
You: "I am calling to urge [elected] support their Senate Judiciary colleagues who are voting NO for Senator Session for Attorney General."
You: I have serious concerns over Senator Sessions's records in civil rights, particularly his track record on voting rights, immigration rights, and discrimination against women and members of the LGBTQ community.
You: Can I count on [rep name] to vote no?
If yes: Great!
If no: I would like to strongly encourage [rep name] to consider otherwise.
You: Thank you, and have a good day.
You: "I am calling to urge [elected name] to vote NO for Senator Sessions for Attorney General."
OR
You: "I am calling to urge [elected] support their Senate Judiciary colleagues who are voting NO for Senator Session for Attorney General."
You: I have serious concerns over Senator Sessions's records in civil rights, particularly his track record on voting rights, immigration rights, and discrimination against women and members of the LGBTQ community.
You: Can I count on [rep name] to vote no?
If yes: Great!
If no: I would like to strongly encourage [rep name] to consider otherwise.
You: Thank you, and have a good day.