In an interview in Sessions’ office Wednesday, I asked what he thought of reports that former President George H.W. Bush plans to vote for Hillary Clinton. Also, what about the other President Bush, George W., who has refused to endorse Trump? And Jeb Bush’s public intention to vote for someone other than the GOP nominee? What was Sessions’ reaction?

“Well, I don’t know exactly where they are,” Sessions began, “but millions of Americans, including this one, worked their hearts out for the Bushes in 1988, 1992, 2000, and 2004. And it wasn’t Bill Clinton that helped the Bushes get elected. It was the same voters, in large part, that elected Ronald Reagan and stand to elect Donald Trump.”

“I don’t appreciate — ” Sessions continued, pausing briefly when, it appeared to me, he thought better of what he was about to say. “I think they’re not thinking clearly enough about this. They’re not … appreciating half the American people, virtually, that have been supportive of Republicans. A lot of them preferred somebody other than Bush candidates, but they rallied around them when it came to November. So I would hope that we see more rallying.”