In a reversal from his bitter attacks in recent weeks, President Donald Trump praised Attorney General Jeff Sessions Saturday for his stepped-up efforts to root out White House leakers.
The president took to Twitter:
Trump has lashed out repeatedly at Sessions in recent weeks, bashing the former four-term Alabama Republican senator for recusing himself in March from the FBI's Russia investigation.
The slams brought strong pushback from fellow Republicans, with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham declaring last week that "there will be holy hell to pay" if Trump fired Sessions.
Sessions called the comments "hurtful" but vowed that he was not stepping down.
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, the former Homeland Security secretary who was sworn-in to his new post on Monday, told Sessions by telephone over the weekend that his position was safe.
On Friday, Sessions pledged to ferret out White House leakers, arguing that they endangered national security, after Trump's earlier assaults on him as being weak on the issue.
Justice Department officials also said they were reviewing guidelines regarding the government's ability to subpoena journalists about their sources.
They also would not rule out the possibility that a reporter could be prosecuted.
In addition, President Trump posted this tweet about his 17-day "working" vacation, which began Friday, at his golf resort in New Jersey.
The president's first extended vacation since his January inauguration comes as the White House undergoes an upgrading of its 27-year-old heating and cooling system.
Other repairs to be completed include fixing the steps on the South Portico, the side of the White House facing the National Mall.
In addition, cosmetic upgrades to the West Wing — including interior painting, replacing carpeting and drapes and fixing water leaks in the press office ceiling — are also on the maintenance list.
The work is expected to be completed by Aug. 21.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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