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Trump claims 'great victory' in midterms and attacks media in fevered news conference – live Trump fires Jeff Sessions as US attorney general – live updates
(35 minutes later)
“At your request, I am submitting my resignation,” begins Sessions’ resignation letter.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigns: “At your request, I am submitting my resignation.” pic.twitter.com/s9gYL5GCx2
In the letter, Sessions touts the Justice department’s work in immigration enforcement, the opioid epidemic and prosecuting gangs.
“I am particularly grateful to the fabulous men and women in law enforcement all over this country with whom I have served,” Sessions wrote. “I have had no greater honor than to serve alongside them.”
John Cornyn, the second-ranking senate Republican, already has a statement on Sessions’ departure:
Attorney General Sessions has selflessly dedicated more than 40 years to serving the people of Alabama and the nation. As our country’s top law enforcement official, he has been integral in fighting the opioid epidemic, keeping violent criminals off our streets, and supporting victims. Those who know him understand his commitment to the rule of law, and his deep and abiding concern for our country.
I’ve had the honor of working closely with Jeff since I came to the Senate, and I’m proud to call him a friend. I wish Jeff and Mary the best of luck in their next chapter, and I hope everyone will join me in honoring his public service to the country.
Jeff Sessions has submitted his resignation at the president’s request, according to the New York Times.
Sessions has been in Trump’s firing line since the attorney general recused himself from the Russia inquiry in March 2017.
“He took the job and then he said, ‘I’m going to recuse myself.’ I said, ‘What kind of a man is this?’” Trump told Fox News in August. “I wanted to stay uninvolved. But when everybody sees what’s going on in the Justice Department — I always put ‘justice’ now with quotes.”
Trump just announced on Twitter that Sessions is being replaced by his chief of staff Matthew Whitaker, who will serve as the acting attorney general.
“We thank attorney general Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! “Trump said. “A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.”
We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well....
....We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.
What do midterm results mean for the Trump-Russia inquiry, climate change, immigration and other key issues?
Guardian reporters have some answers:
US senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, has attacked the media for their behavior at the press conference this afternoon.US senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, has attacked the media for their behavior at the press conference this afternoon.
It’s apparent to me the White House press corps lives in a bubble and the way they are conducting themselves today will do NOTHING to improve their standing with the American people.It’s apparent to me the White House press corps lives in a bubble and the way they are conducting themselves today will do NOTHING to improve their standing with the American people.
“Certain members of the press cannot stand the fact that President Donald Trump and Republicans defied expectations in the midterm elections – actually growing our Senate majority,” he continued. “The mainstream press are not – in my opinion – ‘Enemies of the People’ but rather ‘Allies of the Democratic Party’ playing an activist role in support of their agenda.”“Certain members of the press cannot stand the fact that President Donald Trump and Republicans defied expectations in the midterm elections – actually growing our Senate majority,” he continued. “The mainstream press are not – in my opinion – ‘Enemies of the People’ but rather ‘Allies of the Democratic Party’ playing an activist role in support of their agenda.”
Graham did not provide examples of how the media is supporting the Democratic agenda through their questions, which included asking what the president learned from the election result.Graham did not provide examples of how the media is supporting the Democratic agenda through their questions, which included asking what the president learned from the election result.
Trump himself appeared upset by a question asking whether he characterized migrants in Central America as an “invasion” to score political points.Trump himself appeared upset by a question asking whether he characterized migrants in Central America as an “invasion” to score political points.
Here’s a summary of where things stand:Here’s a summary of where things stand:
The extent of the Democratic victory Tuesday night came into focus as the party flipped seven governor’s mansions and 333 state legislative seats, and gained full control of government in six states.The extent of the Democratic victory Tuesday night came into focus as the party flipped seven governor’s mansions and 333 state legislative seats, and gained full control of government in six states.
That was in addition to advancing successful ballot initiatives on criminal justice reform and voting rights, and to the big prize – winning a robust majority in the House of Representatives.That was in addition to advancing successful ballot initiatives on criminal justice reform and voting rights, and to the big prize – winning a robust majority in the House of Representatives.
Donald Trump declared “complete victory” for Republicans and claimed that the loss of uniform Republican control of Congress would ease gridlock and was a success “from the standpoint of dealmaking.”Donald Trump declared “complete victory” for Republicans and claimed that the loss of uniform Republican control of Congress would ease gridlock and was a success “from the standpoint of dealmaking.”
Trump warned that he would reply to oversight attempts by Democrats with retaliatory investigations that would cause governmental gridlock which he would then blame Democrats for.Trump warned that he would reply to oversight attempts by Democrats with retaliatory investigations that would cause governmental gridlock which he would then blame Democrats for.
In a pugnacious, interminable news conference, Trump nastily attacked an African American reporter for a question about whether his rhetoric emboldens white nationalists, calling it a “racist question.”In a pugnacious, interminable news conference, Trump nastily attacked an African American reporter for a question about whether his rhetoric emboldens white nationalists, calling it a “racist question.”
Trump also said “I am a great moral leader,” “This is a hot White House” and “I think people like me.”Trump also said “I am a great moral leader,” “This is a hot White House” and “I think people like me.”
The extent of Republican gains in the senate were unclear, with Democrat Bill Nelson calling for a recount in Florida, the Arizona race too close to call and Mississippi headed for a runoff.The extent of Republican gains in the senate were unclear, with Democrat Bill Nelson calling for a recount in Florida, the Arizona race too close to call and Mississippi headed for a runoff.
In a sign of rejection of Trump, significant Democratic gains came in suburban and wealthier non-rural areas including in right-leaning cities and suburbs that had voted heavily for Trump.In a sign of rejection of Trump, significant Democratic gains came in suburban and wealthier non-rural areas including in right-leaning cities and suburbs that had voted heavily for Trump.
Likely incoming majority leader declared that “health care won” in the election. Both Pelosi and Trump said they would try to work together on issues such as drug prices and infrastructure.Likely incoming majority leader declared that “health care won” in the election. Both Pelosi and Trump said they would try to work together on issues such as drug prices and infrastructure.
NEW: @NancyPelosi: "Health care was on the ballot, and health care won." https://t.co/QKK9VJ0K1i pic.twitter.com/6JubyJniSENEW: @NancyPelosi: "Health care was on the ballot, and health care won." https://t.co/QKK9VJ0K1i pic.twitter.com/6JubyJniSE
What did you think of that news conference?What did you think of that news conference?
The PBS reporter attacked by Trump for her question about white nationalism and the Republican party says “I’m simply asking the questions the public wants to know.”The PBS reporter attacked by Trump for her question about white nationalism and the Republican party says “I’m simply asking the questions the public wants to know.”
I asked President Trump what he thinks of people seeing his rhetoric as emboldening white nationalists and whether he was concerned that Republicans would be seen as supporting white nationalists.His response: "That's a racist question."I asked President Trump what he thinks of people seeing his rhetoric as emboldening white nationalists and whether he was concerned that Republicans would be seen as supporting white nationalists.His response: "That's a racist question."
I'm simply asking the questions the public wants to know. https://t.co/bZ1cZVBKhdI'm simply asking the questions the public wants to know. https://t.co/bZ1cZVBKhd
Trump concludes by saying “hopefully the tone can get a lot better but I really believe it begins with the media. We used to call it the press.”Trump concludes by saying “hopefully the tone can get a lot better but I really believe it begins with the media. We used to call it the press.”
Last question from the media: does it begin with you Mr President?Last question from the media: does it begin with you Mr President?
“I do have the right to fight back... I’m fighting back not for me, I’m fighting back for the people of this country.”“I do have the right to fight back... I’m fighting back not for me, I’m fighting back for the people of this country.”
Earned media.Earned media.
HOW TRUMP SEES PRESS CONFERENCES LIKE THIS ONE: When @HunterW encourages him to hold more press conferences because they lead to accountability, TRUMP corrects him: "It's called earned media. It's worth billions."HOW TRUMP SEES PRESS CONFERENCES LIKE THIS ONE: When @HunterW encourages him to hold more press conferences because they lead to accountability, TRUMP corrects him: "It's called earned media. It's worth billions."
On the deployment of the US military to the Mexican border announced by the president on the eve of the election: mission accomplished?On the deployment of the US military to the Mexican border announced by the president on the eve of the election: mission accomplished?
Day after the election, Pentagon announces no longer calling US military mission on southern border ‘Operation Faithful Patriot’. Now calling it ‘border support.” No reason given for the change.Day after the election, Pentagon announces no longer calling US military mission on southern border ‘Operation Faithful Patriot’. Now calling it ‘border support.” No reason given for the change.
Trump is asked about barriers to voting in Georgia, long lines to vote and other voting access issues in the state.Trump is asked about barriers to voting in Georgia, long lines to vote and other voting access issues in the state.
Trump denies there were access issues.Trump denies there were access issues.
“I heard it was very efficient in Georgia. I heard it was very efficient. But again you’re going to have to ask the state governments.”“I heard it was very efficient in Georgia. I heard it was very efficient. But again you’re going to have to ask the state governments.”
New question for Trump about his former aide Michael Cohen saying Trump repeatedly used racist remarks.New question for Trump about his former aide Michael Cohen saying Trump repeatedly used racist remarks.
“I don’t use racist remarks, and if I did, you people would know about it... I have never used racist remarks,” Trump says.“I don’t use racist remarks, and if I did, you people would know about it... I have never used racist remarks,” Trump says.
The reporter points out that Trump’s claim of great popularity among African Americans is false: it’s 8%.The reporter points out that Trump’s claim of great popularity among African Americans is false: it’s 8%.
President Trump has denied @swin24’s story that he repeatedly called rapper and ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ contestant Lil Jon “Uncle Tom.”“I don’t know who that is.” https://t.co/9SF2eXoXlwPresident Trump has denied @swin24’s story that he repeatedly called rapper and ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ contestant Lil Jon “Uncle Tom.”“I don’t know who that is.” https://t.co/9SF2eXoXlw