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Alabama officials react to Sessions’ resignation

After Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned from his post at the request of President Donald Trump, Alabama officials expressed on Wednesday their support for Sessions as a “respected” “man of the highest integrity.”

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) said in a statement, “Thank you to my good friend, Jeff Sessions, for over 40 years of noble service to Alabama and our country. Jeff was a respected colleague of mine in the Senate for two decades and represented our nation with honor as the U.S. Attorney General. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

In a statement to Yellowhammer News, Governor Kay Ivey said, “Jeff Session is a great American and a great Alabamian. He has served Alabama and the United States with honor and dignity over his more than three decades of public service. I wish him well as he moves into a new chapter in his career.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, in a statement of his own, remarked, “During his time as U.S. Attorney General, Jeff Sessions has been the standard-bearer for upholding the rule of law and fighting every day to make America safer. He has been a vital partner to state attorneys general, and to me personally, in dealing with violent crime and in strengthening our efforts to combat America’s opioid crisis.”

Marshall continued, “While his style was to work quietly behind the scenes, he made a powerful positive difference in rebuilding the confidence of prosecutors and law enforcement personnel across the nation—not just as U.S. Attorney General, but also as U.S. Senator and Alabama Attorney General. My staff and I will greatly miss Jeff’s leadership at the Department of Justice and we wish him all the best.”

Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-1), who serves Sessions’ home district in the Mobile area, tweeted, “I’ve known Jeff Sessions for almost four decades, and I applaud his dedicated service to Alabama and our country. I wish him and Mary nothing but the best.”

In a statement, Rep. Martha Roby (AL-2) reacted by saying, “I have always known Jeff Sessions to be a man of the highest integrity. I am grateful for his long career in service to the State of Alabama, and I appreciate his remarkable leadership as our country’s Attorney General. I wish him the very best in whatever endeavors follow.”

Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-4) commented, “Having served with Jeff Sessions in Congress, I can honestly say that he has always been someone who is of the utmost character and ability.  I know he worked every day to uphold the law in all fairness to everyone. He has done great work enforcing our immigration laws, fighting gangs and opioid abuse and upholding religious liberties.”

“Jeff, and his wife Mary, have been good friends with Caroline and me.  We wish them the best in whatever is in store for them in the next chapter of their lives,” Aderholt added.

Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-5) praised “Jeff Sessions’ devotion to Alabama.”

“Jeff Sessions honorably and ably served as a United States Attorney, Alabama Attorney General, United States Senator, and U.S. Attorney General. Throughout his long career of public service, Jeff’s deep love of country was evident in his unwavering devotion to upholding America’s foundational principles as enshrined in our Constitution. He served with integrity and dignity. I’m proud to have worked alongside him as both a prosecutor in Alabama and member of Congress,” Brooks outlined.

Brooks continued, “I have been fortunate to know Jeff Sessions for a quarter of a century. As an elected official, Jeff Sessions never wavered in his fierce defense of the Rule of Law and America’s sovereign right to defend and secure its own borders. Jeff Sessions has made Alabama proud. I wish him the best as he embarks on his next journey.”

Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-6) added his words of support in a statement.

“I have known Jeff Sessions for over three decades. When I met him, he was doing honorable service. In this Administration, his service was nothing less than honorable. I’m grateful for his service and friendship and wish him the best in the future,” Palmer said.

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn

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