The issue focused attention on immigration enforcement policies under President Barack Obama and Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Sessions criticized Holder's prosecution of journalist Glenn Greenwald as well as prosecutions against whistleblowers such as Chelsea Manning. He questioned whether Snowden should have received clemency because he leaked classified documents about NSA spying programs to journalists.

Republican senators echoed those sentiments during remarks Thursday morning at the judiciary committee hearing. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Snowden had betrayed America by disclosing secrets that harmed Americans. Sen. Marco Rubio accused Holder of hypocrisy for