Changes

==Early life and career==

==Early life and career==

Sessions was born on December 24, 1946,<ref name="CongBioGuide">[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=s001141 SESSIONS, Jefferson Beauregard, III (Jeff)]. ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> in Selma, Alabama, and was raised in Hybart, Alabama.<ref name="WhatToKnow">[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/25/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-what-to-know.html Attorney General Jeff Sessions: What to know]. ''Fox News''. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> He graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomery in 1969 and received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Alabama in 1973.<ref name="CongBioGuide"/><ref name="WhatToKnow"/> In the same year, 1973, Sessions was admitted to the Alabama Bar, and he practiced law in Russellville from 1973 to 1975.<ref name="CongBioGuide"/> He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1973 to 1986 and reached the rank of Captain.<ref name="CongBioGuide"/><ref name="WhatToKnow"/>

Sessions was born on December 24, 1946,<ref name="CongBioGuide">[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=s001141 SESSIONS, Jefferson Beauregard, III (Jeff)]. ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> in Selma, Alabama, and was raised in Hybart, Alabama.<ref name="WhatToKnow">[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/25/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-what-to-know.html Attorney General Jeff Sessions: What to know]. ''Fox News''. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> He graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomery in 1969 and received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Alabama in 1973.<ref name="CongBioGuide"/><ref name="WhatToKnow"/> In the same year, 1973, Sessions was admitted to the Alabama Bar, and he practiced law in Russellville from 1973 to 1975.<ref name="CongBioGuide"/> He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1973 to 1986 and reached the rank of Captain.<ref name="CongBioGuide"/><ref name="WhatToKnow"/>

==Political career==

==Political career==

In 1996, Sessions was elected as the junior United States Senator from [[Alabama]], defeating Democrat Roger Bedford, 52%–46% in the November general election.  Sessions served in the Senate from 1997 until 2017.<ref name="CongBioGuide"/><ref name="WhatToKnow"/> He served as the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was known for his role in defeating the "Gang of Eight" illegal immigrant amnesty bill in 2013. In his last election, in 2014, Sessions was unopposed in both the primary and general elections.<ref>Stinson, Jim (July 25, 2014). [http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/jeff_sessions_makes_history_by.html Jeff Sessions makes history by being unopposed for U.S. Senate, and re-election campaign is in no hurry]. ''AL.com''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/voter-pdfs/2014/2014GeneralResults-WithWriteIn.pdf State of Alabama – Canvass of Results General Election, November 4, 2014]. ''Secretary of State of Alabama''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref>

In 1996, Sessions was elected as the junior United States Senator from [[Alabama]], defeating Democrat Roger Bedford, 52%–46% in the November general election.  Sessions served in the Senate from 1997 until 2017.<ref name="CongBioGuide"/><ref name="WhatToKnow"/> He served as the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was known for his role in defeating the "Gang of Eight" illegal immigrant amnesty bill in 2013. In his last election, in 2014, Sessions was unopposed in both the primary and general elections.<ref>Stinson, Jim (July 25, 2014). [http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/jeff_sessions_makes_history_by.html Jeff Sessions makes history by being unopposed for U.S. Senate, and re-election campaign is in no hurry]. ''AL.com''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/voter-pdfs/2014/2014GeneralResults-WithWriteIn.pdf State of Alabama – Canvass of Results General Election, November 4, 2014]. ''Secretary of State of Alabama''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref>

Sessions frequently stood alone, at least essentially, in the Senate due to his very [[conservative]] positions.<ref name="Gurman">Gurman, Sadie (July 30, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/07/30/for-sessions-being-attorney-general-is-chance-to-make-mark.html For Sessions, being attorney general is chance to make mark]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 1, 2017.</ref>

Sessions frequently stood alone, at least essentially, in the Senate due to his very [[conservative]] positions.<ref name="Gurman">Gurman, Sadie (July 30, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/07/30/for-sessions-being-attorney-general-is-chance-to-make-mark.html For Sessions, being attorney general is chance to make mark]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 1, 2017.</ref>

===Support for Donald Trump===

===Support for Donald Trump===

Sessions became the first sitting U.S. Senator to endorse [[Donald Trump]] for U.S. President.<ref name="WhatToKnow"/><ref>Ferris, Sarah (February 28, 2016). [https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/271109-gop-senator-expected-to-endorse-trump Trump gets first Senate endorsement]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> He strongly supported Trump due to their policy agreements.<ref>Boyle, Matthew (July 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/07/25/jeff-sessions-a-man-who-embodies-the-movement-that-elected-donald-trump-president/ Jeff Sessions: A Man Who Embodies the Movement That Elected Donald Trump President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> It was reported that [[Steve Bannon]] convinced Sessions to endorse Trump, and he knew he was making a big risk in doing so.<ref>Smith, Allan (July 26, 2017). [http://www.businessinsider.com/sessions-trump-endorsement-bannon-2017-7 Bannon convinced Jeff Sessions to endorse Trump, and Sessions worried his career in the Republican Party might end because of it]. ''Business Insider''. Retrieved July 26, 2017.</ref>

Sessions became the first sitting U.S. Senator to endorse [[Donald Trump]] for U.S. President.<ref name="WhatToKnow"/><ref>Ferris, Sarah (February 28, 2016). [https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/271109-gop-senator-expected-to-endorse-trump Trump gets first Senate endorsement]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> He strongly supported Trump due to their policy agreements.<ref>Boyle, Matthew (July 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/07/25/jeff-sessions-a-man-who-embodies-the-movement-that-elected-donald-trump-president/ Jeff Sessions: A Man Who Embodies the Movement That Elected Donald Trump President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 25, 2017.</ref> It was reported that [[Steve Bannon]] convinced Sessions to endorse Trump, and he knew he was making a big risk in doing so.<ref>Smith, Allan (July 26, 2017). [https://www.businessinsider.com/sessions-trump-endorsement-bannon-2017-7 Bannon convinced Jeff Sessions to endorse Trump, and Sessions worried his career in the Republican Party might end because of it]. ''Business Insider''. Retrieved July 26, 2017.</ref>

===United States Attorney General===

===United States Attorney General===

[[File:Jeff Sessions with U.S. Border Patrol agents.jpg|thumb|200px|Attorney General Sessions meeting with U.S. Border Patrol Agents, April 11, 2017.]]

[[File:Jeff Sessions with U.S. Border Patrol agents.jpg|thumb|200px|Attorney General Sessions meeting with U.S. Border Patrol Agents, April 11, 2017.]]

After winning the 2016 election, President Trump nominated, and the U.S. Senate subsequently confirmed, Sessions as [[United States Attorney General]]. He set out to enact the conservative policies he fought for – and was isolated because of – in the Senate.<ref name="Gurman"/> As Attorney General, Sessions enacted [[conservative]] policies and reformed the Justice Department from what it had been under [[Eric Holder]] and [[Loretta Lynch]]. He stayed strong, even when President Trump himself publicly attacked him, and he had broad support among conservatives.<ref>Shaw, Adam (July 26, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/07/26/jeff-sessions-stands-firm-gains-broad-support-as-trump-ramps-up-attacks/ Jeff Sessions Stands Firm, Gains Broad Support as Trump Ramps Up Attacks]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 26, 2017.</ref> However, Sessions refused to investigate or charge Hillary Clinton<ref>Chakraborty, Barnini (November 3, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/03/trump-slams-sessions-doj-for-not-going-after-clinton-dnc.html Trump slams Sessions, DOJ for not going after Clinton, DNC]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved November 3, 2017.</ref> or Lois Lerner<ref>Munro, Neil (September 8, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/09/08/jeff-sessions-doj-will-not-investigate-irs-suppression-tea-party-groups/ Jeff Sessions’ DoJ Will Not Investigate IRS Suppression of Tea Party Groups]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.</ref> for serious allegations of misconduct.

After winning the 2016 election, President Trump nominated, and the U.S. Senate subsequently confirmed, Sessions as [[United States Attorney General]]. He set out to enact the conservative policies he fought for – and was isolated because of – in the Senate.<ref name="Gurman"/> As Attorney General, Sessions enacted [[conservative]] policies and reformed the Justice Department from what it had been under [[Eric Holder]] and [[Loretta Lynch]]. He stayed strong, even when President Trump himself publicly attacked him, and he had broad support among conservatives.<ref>Shaw, Adam (July 26, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/07/26/jeff-sessions-stands-firm-gains-broad-support-as-trump-ramps-up-attacks/ Jeff Sessions Stands Firm, Gains Broad Support as Trump Ramps Up Attacks]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 26, 2017.</ref> However, Sessions refused to investigate or charge Hillary Clinton<ref>Chakraborty, Barnini (November 3, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/03/trump-slams-sessions-doj-for-not-going-after-clinton-dnc.html Trump slams Sessions, DOJ for not going after Clinton, DNC]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved November 3, 2017.</ref> or Lois Lerner<ref>Munro, Neil (September 8, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/09/08/jeff-sessions-doj-will-not-investigate-irs-suppression-tea-party-groups/ Jeff Sessions’ DoJ Will Not Investigate IRS Suppression of Tea Party Groups]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.</ref> for serious allegations of misconduct.

Sessions set in motion the chain of events which led to [[Robert Mueller]]'s appointment as special counsel to investigate Russian [[collusion]]. By recusing himself in March 2017, the issue was ceded to Deputy Attorney General [[Rod Rosenstein]], an [[establishment]]arian who caved immediately to pressure from the Democrats. His role in fomenting the unnecessary investigation and undermining the first year of Trump's presidency led to strong criticism from the President. Additionally, Sessions deeply disappointed conservatives with his reluctance to investigate figures such as [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Lois Lerner]], despite the clear reasons for investigating. As a result, some conservatives called on Sessions to quit.<ref>Multiple references:

Sessions set in motion the chain of events which led to [[Robert Mueller]]'s appointment as special counsel to investigate Russian [[collusion]]. By recusing himself in March 2017, the issue was ceded to Deputy Attorney General [[Rod Rosenstein]], an [[establishment]]arian who caved immediately to pressure from the Democrats. His role in fomenting the unnecessary investigation and undermining the first year of Trump's presidency led to strong criticism from the President. Additionally, Sessions deeply disappointed conservatives with his reluctance to investigate figures such as [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Lois Lerner]], despite the clear reasons for investigating. As a result, some conservatives called on Sessions to quit.<ref>Multiple references:

*[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/04/2-gop-lawmakers-want-sessions-to-quit-say-hes-lost-control.html 2 GOP lawmakers want Sessions to quit, say he's lost control]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.

*[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/04/2-gop-lawmakers-want-sessions-to-quit-say-hes-lost-control.html 2 GOP lawmakers want Sessions to quit, say he's lost control]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.

*Starr, Penny (January 5, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/05/house-freedom-caucus-conservatives-ag-sessions-has-lost-command-should-step-down/ House Freedom Caucus Conservatives: AG Sessions Has Lost Command, Should Step Down]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 5, 2018.

*Starr, Penny (January 5, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/05/house-freedom-caucus-conservatives-ag-sessions-has-lost-command-should-step-down/ House Freedom Caucus Conservatives: AG Sessions Has Lost Command, Should Step Down]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 5, 2018.

Other conservatives continued to support Sessions:

Other conservatives continued to support Sessions: