Graham: Trump, Sessions relationship is ‘beyond repair’

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Tuesday said he believes the relationship between President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions is “beyond repair,” adding that he thinks that the U.S. needs an attorney general that can “work with the president.” 

“We need an attorney general that can work with the president, that can lead the Department of Justice,” Graham said on NBC’s “Today” show. “This relationship is beyond repair, I think.”

{mosads}Graham added he believes that any replacement for Sessions would have to “commit to the Senate and the country as a whole that [special counsel Robert] Mueller will be allowed to finish his job without political interference.” 

“This relationship [between Trump & Sessions] is beyond repair…You have to replace him [Sessions] w/ somebody who is highly qualified & will committ to the Senate to allow Mueller to do his job.” @LindseyGrahamSC explains why his opinion of AG Jeff Sessions has changed pic.twitter.com/hrGAFoCA6K

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 28, 2018

“The president’s lost confidence in Sessions,” Graham said. “Is there somebody who’s highly qualified that has the confidence of the president, who will also understand that their job is to protect Mueller? Yes, I think we can find that person after the election, if that’s what the president wants.” 

“Nobody is going to take Jeff’s place that doesn’t commit to the Senate and the country as a whole that Mueller will be allowed to finish his job without political interference.” –@LindseyGrahamSC pic.twitter.com/NqHWH6PqWC

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 28, 2018

Graham last week said “every president deserves an attorney general they have confidence in,” a statement that contrasted with his past claim that there would be “holy hell to pay” if Sessions was fired. 

Trump often targets Sessions for his decision to recuse himself from Mueller’s investigation into possible ties between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign. 

Graham on the “Today” show said Trump’s issues with Sessions are “much deeper” than that, however.

“We won’t say on this show, but it’s a pretty deep breach,” he said in response to a question about why Trump takes issue with Sessions. 

Trump has recently continued his attacks against the attorney general, claiming he does not know what is going on at the Justice Department. 

“Jeff Sessions said he wouldn’t allow politics to influence him only because he doesn’t understand what is happening underneath his command position,” the president tweeted last week.

Jeff Sessions said he wouldn’t allow politics to influence him only because he doesn’t understand what is happening underneath his command position. Highly conflicted Bob Mueller and his gang of 17 Angry Dems are having a field day as real corruption goes untouched. No Collusion!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2018

Trump then quoted Graham, who said appointees serve at the “pleasure of the president.” 

.@LindseyGrahamSC “Every President deserves an Attorney General they have confidence in. I believe every President has a right to their Cabinet, these are not lifetime appointments. You serve at the pleasure of the President.”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2018

Sessions last week rebuked the president in a rare statement. 

“While I am Attorney General, the actions of the Department of Justice will not be improperly influenced by political considerations,” Sessions said. “I demand the highest standards, and where they are not met, I take action.”