Since Election Day, President-elect Trump has moved swiftly to appoint some incredibly well-qualified men and women to serve in his cabinet.
The individuals appointed so far bring tremendous experience, talent and commitment to the principles of limited government, respect for the Constitution, law and order, and strong economic growth and opportunity for all Americans.
One of the appointments that has heartened me the most has been that of Sen. Jeff Session (R-AL) as our next attorney general.
Sessions is a man of tremendous experience and principle.
{mosads}As a former US Attorney, state Attorney General and a longtime member of the Senate, where he has served as a leader on the Judiciary Committee, he is one of the most qualified AG nominees I’ve witnessed. Sessions has a terrific record of following the law and as a prosecutor, Sessions successfully put away drug and violent felons, as well as white collar criminals and corrupt politicians.
A son of rural working class Alabama roots whose father owned a country store, he’s an American success story. Sessions put himself through College and law school and joined the Army Reserves, where he became a Captain.
A dedicated family man who has continued to serve as a lay leader and Sunday school teacher in his Church, he understands the values that make America extraordinary and will fight for them every day as our attorney general.
Sessions has always been a man of character and integrity who has fought for equal justice for all, which is why he has received support from politically and racially diverse voices.
Alabama Senate Minority Leader Quinton T. Ross Jr., a high ranking African American Democrat has endorsed him: “I have worked with Sen. Sessions on education policy and securing federal funding for our school. Additionally, I have spent time with him at the Magic City Classic and at Heritage Barbershop in Montgomery. I know him personally and all of my encounters with him have been for the greater good of Alabama.”
Gerald Reynolds, the former Chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commissions wrote to members of the Senate recently, “During my discussions with Senator Sessions and his staff, it was clear the senator has a strong interest in ensuring our nation’s anti-discrimination laws are vigorously enforced…..I am honored to give him my highest personal and professional recommendation.”
Since his election to the Senate, Sessions fought for fairness in drug sentencing arguing that that there was a racial disparity sentencing. Sen. Sessions worked for years with members of the Senate across the aisle and with civil rights groups and law enforcement to pass the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010.
As the former mayor of a big city, I’m heartened to see Session’s leadership on this important issue. Sessions is dedicated to protecting the citizens of this country and will bring that zeal to the office of attorney general.
Sessions has been endorsed by numerous law enforcement organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Sheriffs’ Association, National District Attorneys Association, National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the Major Cities Chiefs Association and many more. Chuck Canterbury, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police said: “We are very, very pleased with the decision of President-elect Trump to tap Senator Sessions to be our nation’s next ‘top cop.
As a long-time prosecutor, he is and always will be a member of the law enforcement family and we look forward to his leadership at the U.S. Department of Justice.”
After a successful career prosecuting criminals, he’s worked for strong policies to fight crime in the Senate. Sen. Sessions was a leader in bipartisan efforts to pass the Fugitive Sex Offenders Act in 2012, as well as in the effort to reauthorize the Victims of Child Abuse Act.
Sessions is committed to securing the safety of our citizens from terrorism, enforcing our immigration laws and maintaining a strong border. Sessions will fight to give our law enforcement officers the legal tools to fight terrorism and to ensure that we have rigorous vetting of refugees coming from countries that sanction terrorism.
Sessions has been a leader in the fight against illegal immigration and sanctuary cities and will work to secure our borders and protect America’s workers.
We know Sessions will bring these principles to his role as attorney general. He will stand up to the special interests and not allow the Justice Department to be used as a political tool of anyone – as has been the case for the past eight years.
Sessions has worked with people across the aisle and has battled his own party, when he thought necessary. He will ensure that the department stands up for consumers and taxpayers when required, but will also not allow the agency to pursue overzealous anti-business policies that deter entrepreneurship, investment and innovation.
The Department of Justice under Jeff Sessions will fight to keep our streets safe, will apply equal justice for all and most importantly fight to defend our constitutional principles.
Ken Blackwell is a Distinguished Fellow at the American Civil Rights Union and a former US Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission
The views expressed by Contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.