The day after the night before: Trump caps fractious post-midterm press conference by firing attorney general Jeff Sessions
President has lost the House of Representatives, but remains bullish about his ability to implement ‘Maga’ agenda
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump capped a fraught midterm election period by firing his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, in a move that immediately provoked fear he may move against the Russia investigation headed by special counsel Robert Mueller.
The US president spent the day after the night before sparring with journalists in a rare set-piece press conference at the White House. The Republican, who appeared tired and on a short fuse, told one reporter to “just sit down” and called him “the enemy of the people” as he was grilled for some 90 minutes after his party lost control of the House of Representatives.
Nonetheless, Mr Trump sought to portray the GOP’s showing as a historic success, with candidates having prevailed in an unusual number of Senate races, he said. In one closely-watched contest, the Texas incumbent Ted Cruz narrowly defeated Beto O’Rourke, the Democrat darling of social media, who observers later tipped as a possible candidate for president in 2020.
During his news conference Mr Trump appeared to extend an olive branch to Democrats, with whom he said he believed his Republican colleagues could produce “a lot” of legislation, particularly on infrastructure. He has pledged to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to modernise crumbling elements of the US’ road system and for improvements in other areas.
But he said that bipartisan working would be contingent on his opponents refraining from opening a string of investigations into his affairs. Democrats have already said they plan to do just that, probing the president’s tax returns, alleged conflicts of interest and other sore points now that they control several influential House committees.
Mr Trump’s first public appearance following the polls veered wildly from outright conflict with the media to praising incoming House speaker Nancy Pelosi and envisioning peace, love and harmony among politicians and their constituents – pointing the finger at journalists for having sown division in the past.
The president hit out at CNN‘s Jim Acosta in particular after the reporter questioned him first over his rhetoric on immigration and then on Mr Mueller’s investigation. Mr Trump told Mr Acosta, who at times spoke over him and refused to relinquish his microphone, that “CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them”.
He also berated a black reporter for asking a “racist question” about his decision to declare himself a nationalist. Mr Trump was asked by Yamiche Alcindor, of PBS Newshour, whether his rhetoric had “emboldened” white nationalists. Mr Trump said that “it’s a very racist question” and that “it’s a very terrible thing you said to me”, adding: ”I don’t believe it ... why do I have my highest numbers with African-Americans?”
As reporters gathered themselves following the marathon press conference, another bombshell dropped – Jeff Sessions had resigned at the president’s request. The attorney general’s sacking came after months of very public vitriol directed his way by Mr Trump, who was incensed by the former Alabama senator’s decision to recuse himself from oversight of Mr Mueller’s probe into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign for president and Russia.
“Since the day I was honoured to be sworn in as attorney general of the United States, I came to work at the Department of Justice every day determined to do my duty and serve my country,” Mr Sessions wrote in his resignation letter.
His departure – televised and made while surrounded by applauding colleagues including his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, and his successor, Matthew Whitaker – sparked warnings of a “constitutional crisis”. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and others warned Mr Trump not to move against Mr Mueller now that Mr Sessions was out of the way.
See below how we covered the midterms, and the aftermath, live
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Like Ms Pelosi, the president has urged for both political parties to set their difference aside and to find common ground.
He said Democrats are on the same page with him when it comes to infrastructure. He said he has been congratulated by them for his efforts in restoring the economy. He said he wants the US to be competitive in trade.
Mr Trump also said that the country has the "cleanest water and air" it has ever seen.
When asked about a possible government shutdown for a wall on the US-Mexico border, Mr Trump said it wouldn't happen—"not necessarily." He claims that Democrats also agree that a wall is needed on the border.
"I would like to see the wall," Mr Trump added.
Mr Trump then said a part of the Democrats agenda has been trying to not give him any funding for the wall. When asked again if there will be a government shutdown for the wall, Mr Trump said he can't "commit" to that. He said it is possible.
After CNN's Jim Acosta asked the president about his notably racist campaign ad hiring actors to pose as migrants jumping over the wall, Mr Trump chastised the reporter.
"Honestly I think you should let me run the company and you run CNN," Trump shouted at Acosta.
Mr Trump doubled down on Acosta saying that CNN should be ashamed of employing him.
"You are a rude, terrible person," Mr Trump told Acosta.
Mr Trump told CNN's Jim Acosta: "Honestly, I think you should let me run the country and you run CNN."
“That’s enough, put down the mic," Mr Trump told CNN's Jim Acosta. I tell you what, CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person, you shouldn’t be working for CNN. You’re a very rude person, the way you treat [Press Sec] is horrible.”
In addition to Mr Acosta, the president yelled at several reporters throughout the press conference.
He told April Ryan to sit down and that he did not call on her for questions. He accused her of being disrespectful for interrupting reporters.
President Trump has said that he would consider disclosing his tax returns if he was not under audit.
This comes as Democrats in the House, who are now the majority party, are expected to pursue his tax returns as part of Congressional investigations.
Asked if he’ll try to block Democrats from obtaining his tax returns, Mr Trump said in the East Room:
“They’re extremely complex. People wouldn’t understand them. They’re done by, among the best and the biggest law firms in the country. Same thing with the accounting firms … People don’t understand tax returns.”
Mr Trump is now speaking about his use of executive orders - he says that he may use them, claiming that his predecessor Barack Obama did, particularly on DACA legislation back in 2010.
The president adds in response to another questions that he is "looking seriously" at removing birthright citizenship for newborns. However, having been bullish about using an executive order to do so in a press conference last week, he now says that the issue will be decided "by the Supreme Court".
We are onto the midterms again. Mr Trump says that midterms have been "a disaster" for previous presidents and that yesterday's vote was a "great success". He mentions Ohio, Florida, Georgia and a number of other states where he believes Republicans have picked up Senate seats and governorships.
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