US President Donald Trump has intensified his assault on Attorney General Jeff Sessions in an apparent bid to force his one-time ally from office and regain influence over a Russia investigation eating away at the US administration.
For the fourth time in a week, Mr Trump laid into one of his earliest endorsers, demanding to know why Mr Sessions has not fired the acting FBI director.
Mr Trump appears to be trying to force the former Alabama senator from office, allowing the president to replace Mr Sessions with someone who has not recused himself from the investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign in last year's election.
Mr Trump took to twitter to accuse acting FBI director Andrew McCabe of being a "friend" of James Comey - the FBI chief whom Mr Trump fired in May over the Russia investigation - and questioned his wife's ties to Hillary Clinton.
Why didn't A.G. Sessions replace Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, a Comey friend who was in charge of Clinton investigation but got....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
...big dollars ($700,000) for his wife's political run from Hillary Clinton and her representatives. Drain the Swamp!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
Mr Trump's new barb at Mr Sessions came as the embattled attorney general visited the White House for what his spokeswoman described as a "routine" meeting of cabinet principals.
White House sources said Mr Sessions and Mr Trump had no plans to meet.
Mr Trump's current strategy carries high risks for the president.
In private, cabinet members are reportedly expressing unease at the treatment of their colleague.
And as a former senator, Mr Sessions retains some support among US politicians who would ultimately have to approve his replacement.
The saga has also prompted questions about Mr Trump's attitude toward the rule of law and rekindled allegations he is trying to quash the investigation or obstruct justice.
A new attorney general, uncumbered by Mr Sessions' Russia recusal, would have the power to fire the special prosector investigating the issue.
Mr Trump's behaviour has also raised questions about why he does not simply fire Mr Sessions. If Mr Sessions stares down the humiliation - as allies say he will - it would make the president look weak.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders indicated yesterday that Mr Trump was not going to change his mind about Mr Sessions.
Communications director Anthony Scaramucci said the situation would "get to a resolution soon."
Earlier today, it was reported that Mr Sessions plans to announce several criminal investigations into intelligence leaks from the US administration.
The Washington Post and Fox News reported the planned announcement, citing multiple unnamed officials.
The investigations will look at news stories that publicised sensitive intelligence material, according to the reports.
Tillerson says he is 'not going anywhere'
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that he was "not going anywhere," denying news reports that he was considering leaving his post.
"I'm not going anywhere," Mr Tillerson told reporters at the State Department.
Asked how long he would stay on, Mr Tillerson turned and smiled, saying, "As long as the president lets me."
Asked about his relationship with President Trump,Mr Tillerson said simply, "good."
