Attorney General Jeff Sessions in August. Photo: Chuck Burton / AP
Attorney General Jeff Sessions sent President Trump his resignation letter in May — which Trump later rejected — after Trump berated him during an Oval Office meeting after learning that Robert Mueller had been appointed as special counsel for the Russia investigation, per a NYT report.
- Trump blamed Mueller's appointment on Session's decision to recuse himself from the Russia prove, telling the attorney general that he regretted appointing him and that he was an "idiot." Vice President Mike Pence, White House counsel Don McGahn, and other aides were in the room.
- Trump decided not to accept Sessions' resignation after top aides — including Pence, Steve Bannon, and Reince Priebus — told him that it would only result in more discord both with the administration and amongst establishment Republicans.
- Why it matters: The report is the fullest glimpse yet at Trump's distaste with Sessions, who was one of Trump's earliest congressional supporters.