# Sessions fires all 46 US Attorneys **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 11, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930 "2017-03-11T14:01:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/1 "2017-03-11T14:01:51Z")
[NBC story](http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/way-which-u-s-attorneys-told-resign-came-surprise-source-n732176) > [@](#): > > The Trump administration’s sudden request on Friday that all 46 U.S. attorneys resign was met with surprise by multiple federal prosecutors, with at least one first finding out about the demand on social media, a source close to the U.S. attorney told NBC News. > > The source says the U.S. attorney and other U.S. attorneys were surprised because on a Thursday conference call with Attorney General Jeff Sessions he concluded the call by telling them “happy hunting!” Sessions, the source says, had given no indication about Friday’s announcement. Now they know what he meant by Happy Hunting - happy job hunting! Apparently there is precedent, Reno did it during the early Clinton administration. I can understand why you wouldn’t want attorneys with diametrically-opposed views working for you, still something of a shock though. ---
**Author:** ![ckalli1998](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a3d4f5/32.png) [@ckalli1998](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ckalli1998)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/2 "2017-03-11T16:21:42Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > [NBC story](http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/way-which-u-s-attorneys-told-resign-came-surprise-source-n732176) > > Now they know what he meant by Happy Hunting - happy job hunting! Apparently there is precedent, Reno did it during the early Clinton administration. I can understand why you wouldn’t want attorneys with diametrically-opposed views working for you, still something of a shock though. It was coming sooner or later, but the only “shock” was how long he waited to do it, new Presidents usually clean house of old U.S. Attorneys early on. I’m also not sure that the fact they had “diametrically-opposed views” on issues related to Trump was the main factor, as their office involves the prosecution of federal crimes and racketeering and statutes violations and so on; it’s not really a political office. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/3 "2017-03-11T16:36:26Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > …still something of a shock though. Definitely. I am shocked, SHOCKED, to find that this happened. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/4 "2017-03-11T16:54:28Z")
Sessions probably gets less opposition from making a clean sweep and firing all of them then he would have if he had picked some to fire and some to keep. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/5 "2017-03-11T17:02:13Z")
This is routine. What’s not routine I think is that they took this long to get organized about it. And there are 90-some U.S. attorneys. The other half resigned on their own already. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/6 "2017-03-11T18:09:42Z")
How routine is [this](http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/11/politics/bharara-not-resigning/index.html)? (Link goes to story about Preet Bharara announcing that he’s not resigning, and that if the administration wants him out, they’ll have to explicitly fire him.) ---
**Author:** ![Falchion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Falchion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falchion)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/7 "2017-03-11T18:26:21Z")
> [@ckalli1998](#): > > It was coming sooner or later, but the only “shock” was how long he waited to do it, new Presidents usually clean house of old U.S. Attorneys early on. > [@Acsenray](#): > > This is routine. What’s not routine I think is that they took this long to get organized about it. There’s nothing remotely shocking or surprising about the announcement. But I think you’re both wrong about the notion that it usually happens faster. For Clinton, in March 1993 (right after she took office), Reno summarily fired all 90-odd US Attorneys. Bush replaced them in a staggered manner, with most gone by April. Obama waited until May, and then announced that he was replacing them in batches. “Elections matter–it is our intention to have the U.S. Attorneys that are selected by President Obama in place as quickly as they can.” Eric Holder explained. So, this falls somewhere between Clinton and Bush in timeframe. I think it is unusual that half of the US Attorneys have already left; but since they’re more or less guaranteed to be fired, resigning makes a lot of sense. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/8 "2017-03-11T19:01:29Z")
Of note, Preet Bharara has both made a career of exposing and prosecuting corruption in New York politics, while having jurisdiction to investigate the Trump Organization since their offices are in New York. In fact, three days ago – only three days ago – the executive director of Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington sent [this letter](http://www.democracy21.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Group-letter-to-US-Attoney-calling-for-investigation-Trump-Organization.pdf) to Bharata, noting: > [@](#): > > The Trump Organization has its main offices in New York City, and resides in the Southern District of New York. Thus, your office has jurisdiction and is the appropriate arm of the Justice Department to conduct an investigation and take appropriate action in this matter. > > We believe the Justice Department has a broad mandate to ensure compliance with provisions of the Constitution that relate to Federal officeholders. For example, in written answers provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation proceedings, Attorney General Jeff Sessions stated that while he was not aware of a federal law that directly charges the Justice Department with enforcing the Emoluments Clause, he recognized that the Justice Department has the responsibility “to ensure that officeholders comply with their constitutional obligations.” Preet Bharara, as acting US attorney over Manhattan, can investigate the Trump business for Emoulments Clause violations independent of Congress or any kind of Washington meddling. Also of note? Robert Morgenthau, in 1969, was the last US attorney that refused to resign after being asked by their new administration… Richard Nixon, before Watergate broke wide. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/9 "2017-03-11T19:02:32Z")
> [@cuauhtemoc](#): > > How routine is [this](http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/11/politics/bharara-not-resigning/index.html)? > > (Link goes to story about Preet Bharara announcing that he’s not resigning, and that if the administration wants him out, they’ll have to explicitly fire him.) It is not. It has almost never happened, except during Watergate, from what I can find. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/10 "2017-03-11T19:42:55Z")
As with most everything else the Trump administration has done, it has been with as little notice as possible. It’s not like these people broke any laws, other than that they had the audacity not to drink the Trump Kool-Aid. But then I guess that’s the newest felony… ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/11 "2017-03-11T21:02:33Z")
Bharara has been [fired](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/new-york-federal-prosecutor-preet-bharara-has-not-submitted-resignation/2017/03/11/39163292-067a-11e7-ad5b-d22680e18d10_story.html?utm_term=.7522694dff77). ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/12 "2017-03-11T21:04:13Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Bharara has been [fired](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/new-york-federal-prosecutor-preet-bharara-has-not-submitted-resignation/2017/03/11/39163292-067a-11e7-ad5b-d22680e18d10_story.html?utm_term=.7522694dff77). Governor Cuomo will be happy. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/13 "2017-03-11T22:21:39Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > As with most everything else the Trump administration has done, it has been with as little notice as possible. It’s not like these people broke any laws, other than that they had the audacity not to drink the Trump Kool-Aid. But then I guess that’s the newest felony… What are you talking about? Letting the attorneys go from the previous administration is SOP, and has nothing to do with them being accused of a crime. I can hardly wait until Thanksgiving rolls around, and folks get outraged that Trump is pardoning turkeys… ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/14 "2017-03-11T22:32:19Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > What are you talking about? Letting the attorneys go from the previous administration is SOP, and has nothing to do with them being accused of a crime. > > I can hardly wait until Thanksgiving rolls around, and folks get outraged that Trump is pardoning turkeys… It depends. Are the turkeys birds or members of his administration? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/15 "2017-03-11T22:47:58Z")
Did Trump actually tell Bharara he would stay on back in November? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/16 "2017-03-12T00:09:15Z")
I’ve been told that the unusual thing is that there aren’t any or many replacements already lined up. People who think so say it’s a sign that Trump intends to leave those offices understaffed as long as possible in order to get away with… stuff. And to break down the administrative state as Bannon promised. True? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/17 "2017-03-12T00:42:15Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I’ve been told that the unusual thing is that there aren’t any or many replacements already lined up. People who think so say it’s a sign that Trump intends to leave those offices understaffed as long as possible in order to get away with… stuff. And to break down the administrative state as Bannon promised. True? Very unlikely. Federal law enforcement doesn’t disappear when these attornies leave their positions. It’s the same as it was when Obama’s cabinet officials left office; various deputies fill the position on an acting basis until the Trump appointees are confirmed. So right now, the Trump administration has a bunch of second-tier Obama appointees running the federal legal system. I’m sure they’ll want to get their own people into those positions as quickly as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Falchion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Falchion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falchion)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/18 "2017-03-12T01:26:18Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So right now, the Trump administration has a bunch of second-tier Obama appointees running the federal legal system. I’m sure they’ll want to get their own people into those positions as quickly as possible. I don’t know. The senior assistants (now Acting US Attorneys) are career professionals. There are those who might think that the legal system is in better hands without the political appointees. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/19 "2017-03-12T03:43:45Z")
> [@Falchion](#): > > I don’t know. The senior assistants (now Acting US Attorneys) are career professionals. There are those who might think that the legal system is in better hands without the political appointees. Are you sure about that? From what I’ve read, it seems like a political appointment. Assistant US Attorneys don’t take civil service tests, are appointed by the Attorney General, and serve one or two year terms. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2017, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930/20 "2017-03-12T05:32:08Z")
> [@Falchion](#): > > There’s nothing remotely shocking or surprising about the announcement. Well, it certainly shocked the attorneys themselves, as stated in the story. I do concede though that the shock was in all likelihood over the abrupt way it was announced rather than the fact of the firing itself. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sessions-fires-all-46-us-attorneys/781930.md?page=2)