Jeff Sessions pushed back at President Donald Trump�s criticism Saturday, telling Trump that he was �damn fortunate� Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation.

Sessions responded pointedly on Twitter after Trump called Sessions untrustworthy and reiterated his endorsement of Sessions� Republican primary rival for U.S. Senate, former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville.

�Look, I know your anger, but recusal was required by law. I did my duty & you�re damn fortunate I did. It protected the rule of law & resulted in your exoneration,� Sessions tweeted in response to Trump.

Sessions added, �your personal feelings don�t dictate who Alabama picks as their senator.�

Trump fired back Saturday evening, tweeting that Sessions should �drop out of the race.�

�Jeff, you had your chance & you blew it,� Trump tweeted. �Recused yourself ON DAY ONE (you never told me of a problem), and ran for the hills. You had no courage, & ruined many lives.�

Sessions has long defended the recusal but had largely avoided engaging Trump�s tweeted scorn as he emphasizes his continuing loyalty to Trump and his agenda. Sessions has gone on the offensive about the recusal, which drew Trump�s ire and has been a lingering obstacle as Sessions seeks the U.S. Senate seat that he held for two decades.

�3 years ago, after Jeff Sessions recused himself, the Fraudulent Mueller Scam began. Alabama, do not trust Jeff Sessions. He let our Country down. That�s why I endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville), the true supporter of our #MAGA agenda!� Trump tweeted.

Sessions was Trump�s first attorney general, a position he was forced to resign when his recusal from the Russia inquiry prompted a fallout with Trump. Sessions said he was required by law to recuse because he was a potential subject and witness since he had participated in Trump�s 2016 campaign.

Sessions faces Tuberville in the July 14 Republican primary runoff. The winner will face U.S. Sen. Doug Jones in November.

Tuberville has made Trump�s belittling of Sessions a focal point of his campaign. Tuberville has begun airing ads featuring Trump�s criticisms of Sessions. One includes a clip of Trump saying if he could have one presidential do-over it would be to not appoint Sessions as attorney general.

�Jeff Sessions quit on the President and he failed Alabama. I�ll always have President Trump�s back,� Tuberville says in the ad.

Sessions, in a follow-up tweet, called Tuberville a coward for refusing to debate him and criticized his stance on immigration.

(AP)