Sessions Won’t Make ‘Blanket Commitment’ On Not Jailing Journalists

Attorney General Jeff Sessions testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Attorney General Jeff Sessions testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Attorney General Jeff Sessions would not give a straight answer to Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s (D-MN) request to confirm that he will not put reporters in jail “for doing their jobs.”

“I don’t know if I can make a blanket commitment to that effect,” Sessions said during his hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“But I would say this, we have not taken any aggressive action against the media at this point,” he continued. “We have matters that involve the most serious national security issues that put our country at risk, and we will utilize the authorities that we have legally and constitutionally if we have to.”

“We always try to find an alternative way, as you probably know, Senator Klobuchar, to directly confronting media persons,” he added. “But that is not a total blanket protection.”

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  1. I agree with Sessions on this. Although he has vowed (by oath) to protect and defend the Constitution, there ARE some limits on the 1st Amendment, such as yelling “FIRE” in a crowded theater. He should say “I vowed by oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution against foreign AND DOMESTIC foes.” Steve Bannon is part of the press. It’s not unlikely that Bannon could do something that would challenge the balance between the 1st Amendment and national security.

    It’s then left up to the courts to determine that balance.

  2. JFC on a motherfucking buttered bagel
    Someone give that fucker a map and point him to what country he’s living in.
    No Sessions you cannot jail journalist because you think it is a good idea

  3. “…at this point”???

  4. At the risk of calling down the wrath of the liberal gods would somebody tell me just exactly what was wrong with Session’s statement? I think it was reasonably nuanced.

  5. Totally see your perspective. Its just when it comes from the mouth of anyone in administration, but especially sessions, it gives one serious pause. Especially when he states that they haven’t gone after journalists “yet”.

    This man cannot be trusted with the office that he holds. That I am confident about.

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