Sessions Out: Speculation Builds about Who Will Replace Him as Attorney General

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, talks the former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani at a fundraising event in the Bronx borough of New York, Monday, July 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

President Trump announced the resignation of beleaguered Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday afternoon, setting off a torrent of speculation about who his replacement might be.

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The president made the announcement on Twitter (of course):

He thanked Sessions for his service and wished him well:

Sessions did not give a reason for his resignation but said that he had been “honored” to serve as attorney general. He thanked Trump for appointing him to the position.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is reportedly on his way to the White House. Is Trump planning to fire him as well? We’ll have to wait and see, but it’s possible that Trump intends to do a thorough housecleaning.

As far as Sessions’ replacement is concerned, New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s name is likely in the mix:

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…as is the name of Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who lost his bid to become his state’s next governor on Tuesday.

Ann Coulter came out quickly saying she’d like to see Kobach as the nation’s next AG — and wants Sessions moved to the Department of Homeland Security.

Kobach, who headed up Trump’s voter fraud commission, has been a favorite of the president, but that may have changed last night when Kobach lost his race — Trump has famously said he doesn’t like losers.

Others names that could be in the mix are Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Frequent Fox News guest and former U.S. Attorney Joe DiGenova could also be competing for the job as well as Sen. Lindsey Graham, who raised his profile amongst Trump supporters with a stellar performance during the Kavanaugh hearings and his recent media appearances.

Or might Trump choose outgoing Congressman Trey Gowdy?

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It’s possible Trump may have someone in mind, but we may also see a parade of candidates heading to the White House over the next few days to make their case for the job.

One thing we know for sure: Whoever gets the job will step into the firestorm of the Mueller investigation in the context of a major power shift in the House. Democratic leaders no doubt feel emboldened in the wake of last night’s victories and have signaled their intention to go after Trump on a number of issues.

It’s hard to imagine that anyone would even want the job of attorney general, fraught as the position always is with controversy, but there are sure to be a number of eager candidates hoping to be Trump’s choice.

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