Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions is the only adviser Donald Trump really listens to, according to
New York magazine.
When Jeff Sessions calls, Trump listens," writer Gabriel Sherman quotes a conservative close to the campaign.
Sessions endorsed Trump at a rally near Huntsville, Alabama on February 28.
Trump had been seeking Sessions' advice since shortly after launching his campaign, Sherman writes.
Sessions has been an influential advocate on trade and immigration policy within the party for years, leading the conservative effort to stop comprehensive immigration reform in 2007.
Trump had "a very long meeting" with Sessions in Washington in September, according to former Sessions adviser Stephen Miller, who now works for Trump's campaign. "They discussed immigration, taxes, welfare, the Supreme Court, and entitlements," he told Sherman.
Sessions' influence was evident when he called Trump in March to criticize him for favoring H-1B visas that allow businesses to bring in top talent from outside the country. After the call, Trump changed his position, Sherman notes.
Sessions also appears to have been behind Trump's somewhat mellowed attitude as well.
"Sessions has told him to get off the personal attacks," Sherman quoted his inside source. "He says, you've got a policy position that's resonating with the country, just stay on illegal immigration."
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