AG Sessions Cites 'Anglo-American Heritage' of Sheriff's Office

Attorney General Jeff Sessions went off-script at the end of a speech he gave Monday to the National Sheriffs Association, citing the "Anglo-American Heritage" of the law enforcement group, CNN reports.

"I want to thank every sheriff in America. Since our founding, the independently elected sheriff has been the people's protector, who keeps law enforcement close to and accountable to people through the elected process," Sessions told the assembly, CNN reported.

"The office of sheriff is a critical part of the Anglo-American heritage of law enforcement," CNN quoted Sessions.

Sessions' phrasing — "Anglo-American heritage" — was not included in his prepared remarks.

"The Sheriff is a critical part of our legal heritage," is what Sessions had prepared to say.

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