Trump and Sessions: How the relationship played out on Twitter

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He was one of President Donald Trump’s earliest supporters but now Attorney General Jeff Sessions is taking heat from the president on Twitter. Earlier in the week, Trump expressed regret over choosing Sessions for the Cabinet position and then he took to social media for a days-long public criticism of what he called Sessions’ “weak” handling of allegations against Hillary Clinton.

But the relationship was not always so contentious. Trump has often used Twitter to tout Sessions and his work, before his tone took a sharp turn this week. Here’s a look back at every Sessions-related tweet from Trump’s personal and POTUS handles since the election.

  Feb. 28, 2016 Thank you, Senator Sessions

Sessions was the first senator to endorse Trump. In his Facebook post on the endorsement, Trump acknowledged Sessions as “the Senate’s indispensable man and the gold standard.”

  March 4, 2016 A vote of confidence

Trump chooses Sessions as chairman of a high-profile advisory committee.

 June 8, 2016  Foreshadowing retweeted

Back before Trump was even the Republican nominee for president, a supporter tweeted at him with a bright idea: Jeff Sessions for Vice President. Sessions’ name had circulated in the media, as well, as a possible running mate or Cabinet nominee. Trump retweeted the user.

 Nov 22, 2016  “A fitting selection”

The National Review applauded Trump’s pick for Attorney General. Trump shared the link.

 Jan. 13, 2017  Everyone’s doing great

As confirmation hearings got underway to fill Trump’s Cabinet positions, he tweeted his support.

  Jan. 31, 2017 Eager to get Sessions in

 Feb. 8, 2017 Sessions confirmed

  Feb. 9, 2017 Live in the Oval Office

  March 3, 2017 ‘An honest man’

After Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation and any future investigations related to Russia, Trump defended the actions that led Sessions to the decision in a series of tweets. He also told reporters he did not think Sessions needed to recuse himself.

  March 4, 2017

Trump mentioned Sessions in a series of tweets defending him and pointing to the Obama administration’s contact with the Russian ambassador. On the same day, Trump also tweeted the President Barack Obama wire tapped his phones.

 March 13, 2017 A proud welcome

Sessions appeared in a series of photos taken in the Oval Office, welcoming the new Cabinet members and meeting with members of a police union.

 April 18, 2017 Getting tough

Trump lauds Sessions’ work thus far.

 July 22, 2017 Decrying leaks against the AG

In the early morning hours of July 22, Trump mentioned Sessions in a tweet decrying what he called illegal leaks that lead to a Washington Post report alleging that Sessions had previously undisclosed conversations with Russia about the election.

 July 22, 2017 Questions for the AG

About an hour later, the tweets started to point more directly at Sessions.

 July 24, 2017 Beleaguered

In addition to the criticism of Sessions on Twitter, Trump told The Wall Street Journal he was looking at the possibility of firing him.

 July 25, 2017 VERY weak

 July 26, 2017 Foreshadowing retweeted

Trump’s attack continued, even as Republicans came to Sessions’ defense and denounced the president’s actions.

In the following days, Trump said in interviews that he wants Sessions to stay on the job. Sessions said he intends to do so.