Trump Cabinet Senate Confirmation Hearings

Sessions' confirmation hearing could be one of the most contentious of the bunch, as his nomination has already prompted protests and arrests.

NAACP president Cornell William Brooks was arrested after staging a sit-in at Sessions' Alabama office last week. Brooks cited Sessions’ silence on numerous laws that he believes are targeted efforts to restrict the voting rights of minority communities in states like Alabama, North Carolina and throughout the South.

Brooks is far from the only one upset, with a group of 1,140 faculty members from law schools across the country penning a letter opposing Sessions' selection. The letter took aim at controversy surrounding Sessions' 1986 confirmation hearing for a federal judgeship, as Sessions was rejected by the Senate Judiciary Committee at that time "due to statements Sessions had made that reflected prejudice against African-Americans," the letter states.

The legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, David Cole, is testifying at Sessions' hearing. The nonpartisan group released a statement today announcing Cole's scheduled testimony, saying that it does not typically participate in such hearings, "however, the organization is taking the extraordinary step of testifying in this hearing because Sen. Sessions’ record raises significant, serious questions about his hostility to civil rights and civil liberties."

Another possible flashpoint for Sessions comes from comments he has made about drug use and the legalization of marijuana. At a Senate hearing last April, Sessions said that "good people don't smoke marijuana" and it is "not the kind of thing that ought to be legalized."

Read more about the possible flashpoints here.

Sen. Chuck Grassley says that the point of the hearing today is to "review the character and qualifications of a colleague who has served besides us."

He went on to call Sessions "distinguished" and "thoughtful."

"We know him well. We know the policy positions he has taken as a legislator," said Grassley, R-IA, who is the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, started her remarks saying that today's hearing was going to be "very difficult for me" because it was not about Sessions' ability as a senator but as "the chief law enforcement for the largest and best democracy in the world."

A protester was just removed from the hearing room. The woman called Sessions "evil" as she was being escorted out.

After introducing his family members, Sessions noted how he has received the endorsement from "every" law enforcement agency.

"I feel the weight of the confidence they have placed in me," he said.

Another protester interruption. "You're a pig!" the woman screamed.

"I deeply understand the history of civil rights and the horrendous impact that relentless and systemic discrimination and the denial of voting rights has had on our African American brothers and sisters. I have witnessed it. I understand the demands for justice and fairness made by the LGBT community. I understand the lifelong scars born by women who are victims of assault and abuse," Sessions said.

Sessions said that he intends to recuse himself from any potential investigations or matters that relate to the Clinton Foundation or the investigation of Hillary Clinton's private email server, if such investigations take place.

When asked about Roe V. Wade, Sessions said that he believes "it violated the constitution," but accepts it.

"It is the law of the land, it has been established and settled for quite some time... and I would respect it and follow it," he said.

He also said that he believes the Supreme Court has decided on the issue of same sex marriage and does not expect to see it changed.

"We should recognize religious freedom. It would be a very high priority of mine," Sessions said.

Another protester interruption.

The chair just decided that they're going to go for break at 1 p.m.