“Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions began his oft-interrupted opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday morning by thanking those within the law enforcement community for their support. He also took a few moments to note the recent deaths of police officers killed in the line of duty. This was no coincidence. The senator from Alabama’s prepared remarks focused heavily on his long history as a prosecutor and his stark views on crime and punishment, and he came back to criminal justice themes repeatedly during the course of his answers to the mostly-friendly questions asked of him by his colleagues.”