BBC在线收听下载:特朗普解雇美国司法部长

Hello, I'm Neil Nunes with the BBC News.

The US Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been fired by President Trump. He had been the target of constant criticism from the president for recusing himself from Robert Mueller's inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Chris Buckler reports now from Washington.

Jeff Sessions had been one of the first Republican senators to stand up and publicly support Donald Trump's bid for the presidency, and he was rewarded by being given one of the administration's most influential positions. But it was a decision that Mr. Trump later very publicly regretted. The president made no attempt to hide his fury and frustration when Mr. Sessions recused himself from having responsibility for the ongoing special counsel investigation into allegations of Russian interference and potential collusion in the 2016 election. The new acting Attorney General is Jeff Sessions' former chief of staff Matthew Whitaker. He's been a critic of the ongoing Russia probe and suggested that limit should be placed on what the special counsel Robert Mueller is allowed to investigate. Concerns have been raised about Mr. Whitaker's appointment by politicians of both parties. The Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was among many Democrats calling for Mr. Whitaker to also recuse himself from overseeing the investigation.

I'd say this: protecting Mueller and his investigation.... It would create a constitutional crisis if this were a prelude to ending or greatly limiting the Mueller investigation and I hope President Trump and those he listens to will refrain from that.

The Republican Senator Lamar Alexander said no candidate for the post of attorney general who wanted to stop the Russia inquiry would be confirmed by the Senate. Meanwhile, President Trump has said he can work with the Democratic majority in the newly elected House of Representatives. This report from Aleem Maqbool.

He may be claiming a big victory in these midterm elections, but it's clear Donald Trump recognizes he's in for, if nothing else, lots of irritation over the next two years.
Through winning control of the House of Representatives, Democrats will have much more power to scrutinize the actions of the White House and things like the president's tax affairs or even alleged sexual misconduct by him. Having said that, an increase in the majority of his party in the Senate - he believes because he supported most of the Senators who won - means President Trump will continue to have his own way in cabinet and judicial appointments.

This is the world news from the BBC.