A group of eight senators sent a letter this week to Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley calling for an extended process in evaluating Sessions. They pointed out that 16 years ago, when President George W. Bush nominated Sen. John Ashcroft for the post, 19 outside witnesses testified over four days. The senators have called for witnesses in more than a dozen policy areas, from immigration to civil rights to transparency and oversight.
Grassley, after meeting with Sessions this week, pointed out that hearings for the past four attorneys general lasted just one or two days, with significantly fewer witnesses.
“The confirmation process of John Ashcroft to be attorney general turned into a reckless campaign that snowballed into an avalanche of innuendo, rumor and spin,” Grassley said. “That will not happen here.”
Democrats also unloaded a torrent of negativity against Mnuchin, the Goldman Sachs banker Trump tapped to lead Treasury Department. Progressive firebrands Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren tag-teamed on a statement calling the choice “hypocrisy at its worst.” Democrats have pointed out some controversial history of Mnuchin, including the fact he profited from home foreclosures during the financial crisis.
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