Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions says he still supports President Donald Trump and his policies — even if the feeling is not mutual.
During an interview on Fox News on Monday, Sessions explained why he still supports Trump and his agenda even though the president endorsed his primary opponent.
“The president’s got strong feelings about this, and he gets to express those opinions,” Sessions said, adding, “I was for those polices before he announced. I was the number one voice in the Senate for them. I believe in them. Not because of any personal gain, but because I think they’re right for America and Alabama.”
Sessions argued that Trump “needs stronger voices in the Senate” to stand up against China and champion religious freedom and a tougher immigration stance.
“Those things I know about. I’ve fought for. I understand them. I’ll help him. I want him to succeed. That’s the fundamental thing because it’s good for America,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Sessions served as attorney general under Trump until late 2018.
Since he left his post, Sessions has decided to run against former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville for his old Senate seat. In the March primary, neither candidate clinched the nomination, which forced a run-off election scheduled for Tuesday.
After Sessions failed to win the primary in March, Trump tweeted, “This is what happens to someone who loyally gets appointed Attorney General of the United States [and] then doesn’t have the wisdom or courage to stare down [and] end the phony Russia Witch Hunt. Recuses himself on FIRST DAY in office, and the Mueller Scam begins!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1235181043881299969
He later announced that he would endorse Tuberville ahead of the run-off. In a tweet, Trump said, “3 years ago, after Jeff Sessions recused himself, the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began. Alabama, do not trust Jeff Sessions. He let our Country down. That’s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville.”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1263970567838932993
Sessions responded to the president, “Your personal feelings don’t dictate who Alabama picks as their senator, the people of Alabama do.”
Throughout the primary process, both candidates have tried to tie themselves to Trump and vowed to support him in the Senate.
On Monday, Tuberville tweeted out an audio clip of Trump urging Alabama voters to support him. Trump said, “Tommy Tuberville is going to do a job like you haven’t seen. He’s going to take over, and he’s going to be representing you and representing you well.”
“We had the Jeff Sessions thing. We gave it a shot. I had no idea it could be as bad as it was,” Trump added.
“Tommy Tuberville will have a call direct line in to my office!” #MAGA #KAG2020 #ALSen pic.twitter.com/FNqE86U3tL
— Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) July 14, 2020
Trump also said Tuberville would have a “direct line in to my office.”
Whoever wins the primary will face off against Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.). Auburn University at Montgomery poll director David Hughes said the race would be an uphill battle for Jones against either Sessions or Tuberville.
