Trump is losing the GOP war over Jeff Sessions

Turning his own Department of Justice chief into the latest target of White House bullying has been a bizarre spectacle to watch in recent days. Perhaps even more astounding has been seeing Republicans and conservatives finally mount any sort of coordinated pushback against Trump.

They’re mostly doing it with flowery statements about Sessions’ supposedly impeccable integrity. “I join the people of Alabama in giving Jeff Sessions my deep respect and unwavering support,” announced Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL).

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was one one of Trump’s harshest critics during the presidential campaign, said Trump’s attacks “highly inappropriate” and issued a statement of support for Sessions, calling him “one of the most decent people I’ve ever met in my political life.”

In truth, the GOP statements of supports are really the least they could do. But compared to Republicans’ previous six months of complete capitulation to the White House, it marks a noteworthy development.

To date, Trump hasn’t been able to find a single, high-profile Republican who supports the strategy of maligning Sessions because he’s not properly protecting Trump from the unfolding Russia investigation.

Mr. President, maybe just try a meeting? This is beneath the office – of any held office – from city councilman to POTUS. https://t.co/5u7E2n0m6G

— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) July 25, 2017

On talk radio, Rush Limbaugh conceded, “It’s also a little bit discomforting, unseemly, for Trump to go after such a loyal supporter this way.”

Meanwhile, powerful players from within conservative movement have also weighed in on Sessions’ behalf, including tea party activist Jim DeMint and Family Research Council president Tony Perkins.

Two elements seem to be working in Sessions’ favor this week. First, he’s a former U.S. senator, which means his Republican colleagues in Congress are relatively quick to defend one of their own as Trump regularly denigrates Sessions in public, calling him “beleaguered” and “VERY weak.”

Unlike Sessions, who was the first senator to support Trump’s campaign, Shelby did not endorse anyone during the GOP primary. In fact, unlike Sessions, most Republican senators did not enthusiastically endorse Trump and his chaotic campaign last which, which may be another reason they’re standing up to Trump’s attempt to bully a former senator.

Secondly, grassroots activists love Sessions’ aggressive, right-wing agenda at the DOJ, where he’s leading crusades against immigration and for mandatory sentencing. He’s also been relentlessly defending Trump’s travel ban.

And that’s why Breitbart, the reliably pro-Trump site, defended Sessions from White House swipes: It’s concerned Trump’s attacks on Sessions will complicate building a wall along border of Mexico and the U.S.

“Sessions represents one of the vital pillars of Trump’s immigration agenda,” according to Breitbart.

As for his decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation, a move that’s currently driving Trump to distraction, prominent Republicans are siding with Sessions.

“I think Jeff Sessions made the right decision in recusing himself,” Rep. Jeff Gowdy (R-SC) told Fox News.

Sessions “made the right decision under the rules of the Justice Department” in recusing himself, echoed Rudy Giuliani in comments to CNN on Monday.