Prior to his confirmation as attorney general on Feb. 8, Jeff Sessions repeatedly affirmed his view that the attorney general “must be committed to following the law,” and promised vigorous prosecution of violent crime.
Just a month later, Sessions is already making good on his promise, ABC News reports. In a memo released Wednesday, Sessions pointed out that as murders have risen in major metropolitan areas, “federal prosecutions for violent crimes have been declining.” While he acknowledged the work the 94 sitting U.S. attorneys have done so far in prosecuting criminals, he encouraged them to redouble their efforts, reminding them that they had “substantial tools at their disposal” with which to both prosecute a greater number of criminals and seek harsher sentences for the most violent offenders.
While Sessions promised additional guidance, “including an updated memo on charging for all criminal cases,” he encouraged the attorneys to work with local law enforcement in the meantime to punish violent lawbreakers and drug gang members to the fullest extent of the law.
