That may sum up a big part of the disconnect here (and by that I mean sometimes talking past each other, speaking generically and not specifically).

I am not looking through the lens of "politics as usual" when it comes to anything related to Trump. I don't think it should be looked at that way, because he is unique in our recent history, and perhaps in all of our history. He certainly has political skills as an populist/nationalist with an authoritarian bent, but trying to shoehorn him and those around him into "politics as usual" is a mistake IMO, and another path to normalization of what should not be normal.

I hope the point I'm trying to make is clear, but I realize it may not be. I'm not talking about Sessions here per se, but the bigger picture.

of my fellow liberals would criticize whichever Republican who had ascended to power just as much.  As would many Conservative Americans if any Democrat had won the presidency.

The people who are just going to defend or attack based on which party we are talking about are logically irrelevant.  And worse, when we truly have someone who is deplorable beyond just differences of political position, they make him look like business as usual.  Ho hum. One side rants while the other defends. 

Trump is not vile because he is Conservative.  He is vile because he is vile.  It truly is different this time.  But we are so used to vilifying and canonizing that the distinction gets lost.