Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions returned to the Department of Justice Thursday for a farewell ceremony, marking his first appearance since he was unceremoniously let go by President Trump in November.
Mr. Sessions took part in a decades-old tradition in which the department presents departed attorneys general with the chair they sat in during Cabinet meetings and with a shadow box of federal law enforcement badges.
Current Attorney General William P. Barr, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Utah U.S. Attorney John W. Huber all heaped praise on Mr. Sessions for his 21 months in office.
“No attorney general’s tenure goes exactly as planned. Unexpected developments always arise, but Jeff Sessions stayed true to his values,” Mr. Rosenstein said. “He never forgot who he was or where he came from.”
He highlighted Mr. Sessions’ efforts to reduce opioid overdoses, cut violent crime rates and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.
Mr. Barr said he’s trying to carry on those same priorities.
The audience rose to its feet when Mr. Sessions walked out on stage, giving him a lengthy standing ovation. Mr. Sessions, choked with emotion, gave a brief speech.
“You all had my back and now you all have my thanks,” he said.
Mr. Sessions also called his time as attorney general the “most meaningful” in his professional career.
The former U.S. attorney and then longtime U.S. senator was the first federal lawmaker to endorse Mr. Trump in the 2016 presidential election, giving the novice candidate some political weight.
Mr. Trump picked Mr. Sessions to lead Justice. But the relationship soured when Mr. Sessions recused himself from decisions about the department’s probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, and Mr. Rosenstein, who took over those decisions, named special counsel Robert Mueller to lead the probe.
After last year’s elections, Mr. Trump demanded Mr. Sessions’ resignation.
That has not cooled the president’s anger, however, and he still attacks Mr. Sessions during speeches.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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