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Version 1 Version 2
Jeff Sessions testimony: attorney general grilled on Russia ties – live Jeff Sessions testimony: attorney general grilled on Russia ties – live
(35 minutes later)
8.24pm BST
20:24
Warner is up. Does Sessions have confidence in Mueller?
“I have confidence in Mr Mueller, but I am not going to discuss any hypotheticals...”
Does the president have confidence in Mueller?
“I have no idea, I’ve not talked to him about it.”
Will you commit to not taking action to fire Mueller?
“I think that I can say that with confidence because I’m recused from the investigation...”
Sessions tries to eat up time by talking but Warner interrupts him and makes him answer.
8.22pm BST
20:22
Sessions says he hasn’t been in touch with Mueller.
Burr now asks Sessions about being kicked out of the Oval Office. Sessions has admitted that Comey informed Sessions about how uncomfortable that was.
Did Comey express additional discomfort otherwise?
Sessions says it’s no big deal for the president to be in touch with the FBI director.
“There is nothing wrong with the president having communication... what is problematic is for any department employee... talking about any investigations...
“We strongly believed we needed to restore discipline...” and follow communications rules, Sessions said.
Sessions then attacks Comey:
“By his own admission, he said, there were as many as six such meetings [four with Trump, two with Obama]... so it’s not improper per se, but it’s not justified for a department official to share information about an investigation without prior review from above.”
Sessions is implying, isn’t he, that Comey violated department rules by informing Trump he was not under investigation.
8.18pm BST
20:18
Sessions says 'problematic' status, per Comey, had to do with department by-laws
Sessions is talking about his decision to recuse himself.
He says he did so in compliance with justice department rules. Which he proceeds to read. In short, you can’t oversee an investigation into a campaign or candidate if you were “a principal adviser.” Good rule!
“Many have suggested,” Sessions says, “That my recusal is because... I may have done something wrong. But this is the reason I recused myself... I should comply with the rules, obviously.”
Burr asked whether his legal counsel knew from day 1 that he would have to recuse himself.
Sessions says he has a timeline. “It became clear to me over time that I qualified as a principal-adviser-type person to the campaign and this applied to me,” he says.
Is this then what Comey meant about Sessions’ “problematic” situation that would lead to his recusing himself, Burr asks?
Sessions does not contradict Burr’s idea that that’s what Comey meant.
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8.14pm BST
20:14
Burr is up first. He asks about the Mayflower hotel speech by Trump that both Sessions and Kislyak attended. The question is whether an undisclosed meeting between Sessions and Kislyak occurred there.
Sessions testified he did not remember Kislyak was there. “But I understand he was there... in fact I recently saw a video of him coming into the room,” Sessions says.
Sessions says he did not meet with Kislyak. He says the legislative director of his senate staff was there. Sessions says he attended the event to see what kind of foreign policy speech Trump could give.
The other meetings with Kislyak were in July at the convention and one in September in then-senator Sessions’ senate office.
Burr asks Sessions if he had any other meetings “with the Russians.”
“No, Mr Chairman, I’ve wracked my brain to make sure I could answer any of those questions correctly and no I did not.”
Sessions says his not bringing up the meetings earlier was a combination of memory oversight and not realizing the meetings were relevant.
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8.10pm BST
20:10
Sessions closes with some stats about opioid overdoses (taken from the pages of the failing New York Times!) and says the criminals better look out because law enforcement is coming.
8.09pm BST
20:09
Sessions vows to 'defend my honor against scurrilous and false allegations'
While he recused himself from the Russia investigation, Sessions says, “I did not recuse myself from defending my honor against scurrilous and false allegations.”
8.08pm BST
20:08
Sessions defends role in firing Comey despite recusal
Now Sessions is on to his recusal.
“I was sworn in as AG on Thursday 9 February. The very next day, as I promised... I met with career department officials.. to discuss some things publicly reported... from that point, February 10 until I announced my formal recusal on March 2,” he was 1/ never briefed and 2/ did not access any information about the investigation, he says.
“I have no knowledge about this investigation as it is ongoing beyond that which has been reported publicly. I don’t even read that carefully.”
Sessions is showing some bluster here. He is seeking a forceful rebuttal of the air of wrongdoing.
“I recused myself not [because] of any [perceived] wrongdoing, but because of department regulation... Employees should not participate in an investigation of a campaign if they participated as a campaign adviser.”
Sessions says he stepped aside not because he had done anything wrong. But that he still had a duty to run the FBI – which, he concluded, involved firing Comey.
He said he shared his concerns about Comey with the president and Rosenstein.
“It is absurd frankly to suggest that a recusal from a single specific investigation would render the attorney general unable to conduct the leadership” of the department, he says. There are lots of investigations, thousands, he says.
Then on the question of Comey asking Sessions to stop the president from contacting Comey directly, Sessions says Comey “expressed concern about proper communications protocol with the White House and the president ... I responded by agreeing that the FBI and the Department of Justice needed to be careful... I was confident that he understood and would abide by well-established rules limiting communications with the White House.”
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8.01pm BST
20:01
Sessions sharply denies collusion with Russia or perjury
Sessions says he appreciates the committee’s effort to investigate the Russia election tampering.
“I encourage any effort to get to the bottom” of the tampering, he says.
He says he will respond to questions “as fully as the Lord enables me to do so.”
But he will not “violate my duty” to keep certain conversations with the president confidential.
“I did not have any private meetings nor can I recall any conversations with any Russian officials at the Mayflower hotel,” Sessions says, right out of the gate. That is the scene of the purported third meeting between him and Kislyak.
“If any brief interaction occurred in passing, I do not remember it,” he says. “But whether I ever attended a reception where the Russian ambassador was also present, is beside the point...
“I have never met with or had any conversation with any Russian or foreign officials concerning any election or campaign in the United States...
“The suggestion that I participated in any collusion.. to hurt this country, which I have served with honor for 35 years... is an appalling and detestable lie.”
He denies that he perjured himself in his confirmation hearing. “Senator Franken asked me a rambling question after some six hours of testimony,” Sessions says. “...I was taken aback by that explosive allegation... I wanted to refute that immediately.”
He adds: “In that context my answer was a fair and correct response... I was responding to this allegation.”
Here’s Al Franken’s original question, and Sessions’ reply:
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7.55pm BST
19:55
Warner points out that Sessions said at his confirmation hearings that he had had no communications with the Russians, when in fact he had. Warner hopes Sessions will provide diaries and calendars as evidence of the extent and limit of his meetings.
Warner then turns to Comey’s testimony last week, in which Comey expressed concern that Trump would lie about their meetings and that Trump fired him over the Russia inquiry.
“You recused yourself from the Russia investigations, yet you participated in the firing of Mr Comey over the handling of that same investigation,” Warner says.
He also wants to know about Sessions being kicked out of the Oval Office to talk with Comey one-on-one. Also has Sessions seen any contacts or pressure from the White House on the intelligence community with regard to the Russia inquiry?
Warner wants to know what Sessions is doing about the Russian election tampering. And his final concern is the refusal of public officials to answer questions about unclassified material in public settings.
Sessions stands for his oath.
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7.49pm BST7.49pm BST
19:4919:49
Vice-chairman Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia, is up. He says thanks to Sessions for coming.Vice-chairman Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia, is up. He says thanks to Sessions for coming.
But he expresses concern that Sessions was originally scheduled to testify before the House and Senate Appropriations committee.But he expresses concern that Sessions was originally scheduled to testify before the House and Senate Appropriations committee.
“I believe he should also answer questions for both of those committees, and the judiciary committee as well.”“I believe he should also answer questions for both of those committees, and the judiciary committee as well.”
Warner says today’s testimony is “just the beginning of our interaction with you.”Warner says today’s testimony is “just the beginning of our interaction with you.”
Warner makes it clear that Sessions requested to speak with the committee today. Warner hopes that cooperation will be sustained.Warner makes it clear that Sessions requested to speak with the committee today. Warner hopes that cooperation will be sustained.
7.47pm BST7.47pm BST
19:4719:47
Senate Russia inquiry has interviewed 35 individualsSenate Russia inquiry has interviewed 35 individuals
Burr says that in its Russia inquiry the committee has interviewed 35 individuals including former homeland security secretary (under Obama) Jeh Johnson.Burr says that in its Russia inquiry the committee has interviewed 35 individuals including former homeland security secretary (under Obama) Jeh Johnson.
7.46pm BST7.46pm BST
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Chairman Richard Burr, the Republican from North Carolina, says the committee recognizes the “gravity of our investigation” into Russia but at the same time is keeping up its oversight of the intelligence community.Chairman Richard Burr, the Republican from North Carolina, says the committee recognizes the “gravity of our investigation” into Russia but at the same time is keeping up its oversight of the intelligence community.
“I’ve said repeatedly that I do not believe what the committee does should be done in public, but I also recognize the gravity of the current investigation... it is for that reason that the committee has now held its 10th open hearing of 2017.”“I’ve said repeatedly that I do not believe what the committee does should be done in public, but I also recognize the gravity of the current investigation... it is for that reason that the committee has now held its 10th open hearing of 2017.”
Burr complained about this last week too. That the work of his committee is on public view.Burr complained about this last week too. That the work of his committee is on public view.
7.42pm BST7.42pm BST
19:4219:42
Here now is Sessions. He swoops in for a kiss from his wife, Mary, on the way to his chair. Shakes hands with the committee leaders and takes a seat.Here now is Sessions. He swoops in for a kiss from his wife, Mary, on the way to his chair. Shakes hands with the committee leaders and takes a seat.
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7.39pm BST7.39pm BST
19:3919:39
We remember getting pretty pumped for some of those Snowden-era James Clapper / Keith Alexander / John Brennan episodes... but fair enough:We remember getting pretty pumped for some of those Snowden-era James Clapper / Keith Alexander / John Brennan episodes... but fair enough:
America has gotten pumped for more congressional hearings in the last ten days than in the last ten years.America has gotten pumped for more congressional hearings in the last ten days than in the last ten years.
7.36pm BST7.36pm BST
19:3619:36
Your senators are taking their seats. At least Marco Rubio is.Your senators are taking their seats. At least Marco Rubio is.
7.35pm BST7.35pm BST
19:3519:35
Room is hushed. Any moment now.Room is hushed. Any moment now.
7.13pm BST7.13pm BST
19:1319:13
We’ve told you what questions for Sessions we’d like to hear.We’ve told you what questions for Sessions we’d like to hear.
How about you? What would you ask the AG?How about you? What would you ask the AG?
Here’s a refresher on his January confirmation hearing:Here’s a refresher on his January confirmation hearing:
7.03pm BST7.03pm BST
19:0319:03
Hello and welcome to our live blog coverage of attorney general Jeff Sessions’ testimony before the Senate select committee on intelligence. It’s the same committee that questioned former FBI director James Comey last week.Hello and welcome to our live blog coverage of attorney general Jeff Sessions’ testimony before the Senate select committee on intelligence. It’s the same committee that questioned former FBI director James Comey last week.
Sessions takes the hot seat at 2.30pm ET. We’ll have a live video stream atop the blog.Sessions takes the hot seat at 2.30pm ET. We’ll have a live video stream atop the blog.
Sessions is on Capitol Hill today to answer questions about the firing of Comey last month and about ties between the Donald Trump presidential campaign and Russian government operatives.Sessions is on Capitol Hill today to answer questions about the firing of Comey last month and about ties between the Donald Trump presidential campaign and Russian government operatives.
What makes this outing by Sessions so interesting? He’s a major figure in the intertwined Russia and Comey affairs, and his public story has changed enough that two Democratic senators have already accused him of possibly committing perjury, during his January confirmation hearing, by failing to own up to his own contacts with Russian operatives.What makes this outing by Sessions so interesting? He’s a major figure in the intertwined Russia and Comey affairs, and his public story has changed enough that two Democratic senators have already accused him of possibly committing perjury, during his January confirmation hearing, by failing to own up to his own contacts with Russian operatives.
Questions we’d like to hear:Questions we’d like to hear:
– Can you describe being kicked out of the Oval Office by Trump so that that the president could speak alone with Comey?– Can you describe being kicked out of the Oval Office by Trump so that that the president could speak alone with Comey?
Trump has denied he told Comey that he hoped the FBI could lay off former national security adviser Michael Flynn. It would interesting to know whether Sessions backs up Comey’s account of the scene in other respects.Trump has denied he told Comey that he hoped the FBI could lay off former national security adviser Michael Flynn. It would interesting to know whether Sessions backs up Comey’s account of the scene in other respects.
“My sense was the attorney general knew he shouldn’t be leaving, which is why he was lingering,” Comey testified last Thursday.“My sense was the attorney general knew he shouldn’t be leaving, which is why he was lingering,” Comey testified last Thursday.
– How many times did you meet with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak before the election?– How many times did you meet with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak before the election?
During his 10 January confirmation hearing, Sessions said, “I did not have communications with the Russians.”During his 10 January confirmation hearing, Sessions said, “I did not have communications with the Russians.”
On 1 March, the Washington Post reported that Sessions had in fact met with Kislyak twice.On 1 March, the Washington Post reported that Sessions had in fact met with Kislyak twice.
When the Post story broke, Sessions’ spokespeople said he did not consider the conversations relevant to the lawmakers’ questions. “There was absolutely nothing misleading about his answer,” said a spokeswoman. But in response to the criticism he recused himself from the Russia investigation.When the Post story broke, Sessions’ spokespeople said he did not consider the conversations relevant to the lawmakers’ questions. “There was absolutely nothing misleading about his answer,” said a spokeswoman. But in response to the criticism he recused himself from the Russia investigation.
More recent reports have suggested that there was a third undisclosed meeting.More recent reports have suggested that there was a third undisclosed meeting.
– What was Comey referring to in this exchange from his testimony?– What was Comey referring to in this exchange from his testimony?
WYDEN: Let me turn to the Attorney General. In your statement, you said that you and the FBI leadership team decided not to discuss the president’s actions with Attorney General Sessions, even though he had not recused himself.WYDEN: Let me turn to the Attorney General. In your statement, you said that you and the FBI leadership team decided not to discuss the president’s actions with Attorney General Sessions, even though he had not recused himself.
What was it about the Attorney General’s own interactions with the Russians, or his behavior with regard to the investigation, that would have led the entire leadership of the FBI to make this decision?What was it about the Attorney General’s own interactions with the Russians, or his behavior with regard to the investigation, that would have led the entire leadership of the FBI to make this decision?
COMEY: Our judgment, as I recall, was that he was very close to and inevitably going to recuse himself for a variety of reasons. We also were aware of facts that I can’t discuss in an open setting that would make his continued engagement in a Russia-related investigation problematic.COMEY: Our judgment, as I recall, was that he was very close to and inevitably going to recuse himself for a variety of reasons. We also were aware of facts that I can’t discuss in an open setting that would make his continued engagement in a Russia-related investigation problematic.
And so we were — we were convinced — and, in fact, I think we had already heard that the career people were recommending that he recuse himself — that he was not going to be in contact with Russia- related matters much longer, and that turned out to be the case.And so we were — we were convinced — and, in fact, I think we had already heard that the career people were recommending that he recuse himself — that he was not going to be in contact with Russia- related matters much longer, and that turned out to be the case.
– Did Comey ask you not to let the president contact him directly?– Did Comey ask you not to let the president contact him directly?
Disturbed by the president’s habit of contacting him directly with requests such as asking him to announce that Trump was not under investigation, Comey said he asked Sessions to tell the president to stop doing that.Disturbed by the president’s habit of contacting him directly with requests such as asking him to announce that Trump was not under investigation, Comey said he asked Sessions to tell the president to stop doing that.
“I talked to him and said, “You have to be between me and the president, and that’s incredibly important,” and I forget my exact words,” Comey testified.“I talked to him and said, “You have to be between me and the president, and that’s incredibly important,” and I forget my exact words,” Comey testified.
– What was your role in Comey’s firing, given your supposed “recusal” from the Russia inquiry?– What was your role in Comey’s firing, given your supposed “recusal” from the Russia inquiry?
As mentioned above, Sessions “recused” himself from the Russia inquiry after his undisclosed meetings with Kislyak came to light. But when Comey, who was in charge of the investigation, was fired, there was Sessions once again, front and center with a letter to the president saying “a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI.”As mentioned above, Sessions “recused” himself from the Russia inquiry after his undisclosed meetings with Kislyak came to light. But when Comey, who was in charge of the investigation, was fired, there was Sessions once again, front and center with a letter to the president saying “a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI.”
Senate minority leader Chuck Schemer said on Monday, “Recommending director Comey’s firing would seem to be a violation of his recusal, and attorney general Sessions needs to answer for that.”Senate minority leader Chuck Schemer said on Monday, “Recommending director Comey’s firing would seem to be a violation of his recusal, and attorney general Sessions needs to answer for that.”
Read our news coverage:Read our news coverage:
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