Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions allegedly used ethnic and racial stereotypes in meetings, according to a new book by fired acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe.
The book, titled “The Threat,” paints an unflattering picture of Mr. Sessions, The Washington Post wrote in its review of the book.
In one exchange, Mr. Sessions reportedly told Mr. McCabe that the FBI was better off when it “only hired Irishmen.”
“They were drunks, but they could be trusted. Not like those new people with nose rings and tattoos — who knows what they’re doing,” Mr. McCabe reportedly quoted Mr. Sessions as saying in the book.
A source close to Mr. Sessions dismissed the allegations as “laughable,” saying the book was an attempt to settle a score after the attorney general fired Mr. McCabe in 2018.
“He traveled to something like 60 offices, and every time carved out time specifically to meet with FBI leadership and take photos with agents. So the idea that he confided this idea that no one else has ever heard him say to Andy McCabe? A guy he never liked [or] trusted? I don’t think so,” the source told The Washington Times.
“Andy should have picked something more believable to lie about,” the source added.
Mr. McCabe reportedly claimed Mr. Sessions “believed that Islam — inherently — advocated extremism” and would tirelessly work to make links between immigration and crime.
“Where’s he from?” Mr. McCabe said was always the former attorney general’s first question about a suspect. The second question was always, “Where are his parents from?”
Mr. McCabe also questioned Mr. Sessions’ mental ability, saying he struggled to keep up with his job’s most basic demands. The book reportedly describes Mr. Sessions as having “trouble focusing, particularly when topics strayed from a small number of issues.”
The book also claims, Mr. Sessions failed to read intelligence reports and, at times, confused classified materials with stories he read in the newspaper.
Mr. McCabe said there was no evidence that Mr. Sessions even entered the passcode to view the daily presidential brief sent to high-ranking administration officials.
“McCabe’s disdain for Trump is rivaled only his contempt for Sessions,” The Post wrote in its review.
A Justice Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The White House has repeatedly blasted the book. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said Mr. McCabe “has no credibility and is an embarrassment to the men and women of the FBI.”
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.