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Trump election: Jeff Sessions, Attorney General nominee, dogged by racism claims Trump election: Jeff Sessions, Attorney General nominee, dogged by racism claims
(about 2 hours later)
President-elect Donald Trump has named Senator Jeff Sessions to become his attorney general, but allegations of racism that have dogged his career could make for an uncomfortable Senate confirmation hearing.President-elect Donald Trump has named Senator Jeff Sessions to become his attorney general, but allegations of racism that have dogged his career could make for an uncomfortable Senate confirmation hearing.
The right-wing, anti-illegal immigration senator from Alabama was one of Mr Trump's earliest supporters in his White House bid.The right-wing, anti-illegal immigration senator from Alabama was one of Mr Trump's earliest supporters in his White House bid.
As a key loyalist, he was a senior adviser to the New York tycoon on politics, national security and policy.As a key loyalist, he was a senior adviser to the New York tycoon on politics, national security and policy.
He is also a vice-chairman on the Trump presidential transition team.He is also a vice-chairman on the Trump presidential transition team.
KKK jokeKKK joke
Born Jefferson Beauregard "Jeff" Sessions III, the 69-year-old was Alabama's attorney general before he joined the Senate in 1996.Born Jefferson Beauregard "Jeff" Sessions III, the 69-year-old was Alabama's attorney general before he joined the Senate in 1996.
What Trump victory means for the world
He sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Budget Committee.He sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Budget Committee.
The lawmaker, who helped Mr Trump craft his foreign policy plan, was one of the few Republicans to come to his defence after he proposed a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US.The lawmaker, who helped Mr Trump craft his foreign policy plan, was one of the few Republicans to come to his defence after he proposed a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US.
Mr Sessions said Mr Trump was "treading on dangerous ground", but that it was "appropriate to begin to discuss" the issue.Mr Sessions said Mr Trump was "treading on dangerous ground", but that it was "appropriate to begin to discuss" the issue.
The senator's past remarks about race have drawn scrutiny and proved a roadblock in his political career.The senator's past remarks about race have drawn scrutiny and proved a roadblock in his political career.
A Senate committee denied Mr Sessions a federal judgeship in 1989 after lawmakers heard testimony that he had used a racial slur.A Senate committee denied Mr Sessions a federal judgeship in 1989 after lawmakers heard testimony that he had used a racial slur.
He had also joked about the Ku Klux Klan, saying he thought they were OK until he heard they smoked marijuana.He had also joked about the Ku Klux Klan, saying he thought they were OK until he heard they smoked marijuana.
Mr Sessions was also accused of calling a black assistant US attorney "boy" and telling him to be careful about how he spoke to "white folks".Mr Sessions was also accused of calling a black assistant US attorney "boy" and telling him to be careful about how he spoke to "white folks".
He denied to the committee ever having called the lawyer "boy" and insisted he had merely advised him to be cautious about what he said to "folks".He denied to the committee ever having called the lawyer "boy" and insisted he had merely advised him to be cautious about what he said to "folks".
But Mr Sessions did not deny claims he had labelled the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People "un-American" and "communist-inspired".But Mr Sessions did not deny claims he had labelled the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People "un-American" and "communist-inspired".
His admirers deny he is a racist, pointing to his votes to extend the Voting Rights Act and to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Rosa Parks.His admirers deny he is a racist, pointing to his votes to extend the Voting Rights Act and to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Rosa Parks.
Immigration 'hoax'Immigration 'hoax'
He has spent much of his career fighting immigration battles, ranging from amnesty bills on creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants to visa programmes for foreign workers.He has spent much of his career fighting immigration battles, ranging from amnesty bills on creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants to visa programmes for foreign workers.
Mr Sessions supports limiting legal immigration, arguing it protects American jobs.Mr Sessions supports limiting legal immigration, arguing it protects American jobs.
He also backs Mr Trump's plan to build a wall along the US-Mexican border.He also backs Mr Trump's plan to build a wall along the US-Mexican border.
In a 2005 Washington Post op-ed, he argued that "Legal immigration is the primary source of low-wage immigration into the United States".In a 2005 Washington Post op-ed, he argued that "Legal immigration is the primary source of low-wage immigration into the United States".
The government, he argued, should be focused on "slowing the pace of new arrivals so that wages can rise, welfare rolls can shrink and the forces of assimilation can knit us all more closely together".The government, he argued, should be focused on "slowing the pace of new arrivals so that wages can rise, welfare rolls can shrink and the forces of assimilation can knit us all more closely together".
Much of his strident views on immigration were laid out last year in his 25-page manifesto, "Immigration Handbook for the New Republican Majority".In the report, he argues immigration was responsible for job losses and welfare dependency.Much of his strident views on immigration were laid out last year in his 25-page manifesto, "Immigration Handbook for the New Republican Majority".In the report, he argues immigration was responsible for job losses and welfare dependency.
He called claims by technology entrepreneurs that immigrant workers with elite skills were part of the innovation process a "hoax".He called claims by technology entrepreneurs that immigrant workers with elite skills were part of the innovation process a "hoax".
Mr Sessions has also challenged calls to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay.Mr Sessions has also challenged calls to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay.
He also questioned whether terrorism suspects have the right to be tried in civilian court as well as the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.He also questioned whether terrorism suspects have the right to be tried in civilian court as well as the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.