Jeff Sessions was unfairly tarred as an unrepentant bigot when Donald Trump first nominated him for attorney general. Now he’s getting support from a an unlikely group: black pastors who say he deserves a hearing:

The NAACP is planning another round of protests to try and block Sen. Jeff Sessions’ (R-AL) path to becoming our next attorney general. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), in an historic move, plans to testify against his colleague. They, along with liberal media outlets, are suggesting Sessions is unqualified to hold the post because he’s a racist. Yet, people who have actually worked with him before are setting the record straight. Ahead of Sessions’ first confirmation hearing on Tuesday, a group of black religious leaders came to Capitol Hill to explain why they think he’s the right man for the job.

The organizations Frederick Douglass Foundation and Family Research Council’s Watchmen on the Wall held the event on Monday.

As you will hear from the men who follow, Senator Sessions has consistently demonstrated respect and care for people of all races while serving his home state of Alabama,” said Rev. Dean Nelson, Director of African-American Outreach for Family Research Council’s Watchmen on the Wall. “He has in fact worked relentlessly on the side of desegregation and justice. His reputation as a formidable champion for the rule of law has benefited all the citizens he served. As you will hear, Senator Sessions worked courageously to punish whites who victimized blacks to the fullest extent of the law and to reward courageous blacks for their contributions to our country.”

This is encouraging. Many conservatives and civil libertarians have expressed concerns about certain policies favored by Sessions, but the man has a long, dignified career of public service. Allowing opportunistic Democrats and race baiters to label him as some sort foul bigot is simply unacceptable.