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Attorney General Sessions responds to Comey hearing, testifies in Russia probe (WATCH LIVE) Attorney General Sessions responds to Comey hearing, testifies in Russia probe (WATCH LIVE)
(35 minutes later)
US Attorney General Jeff Sessions appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee to testify about his possible role in the firing of FBI Director, James Comey and the investigation in contacts between Trump campaign associates and Russia, and his own contacts.US Attorney General Jeff Sessions appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee to testify about his possible role in the firing of FBI Director, James Comey and the investigation in contacts between Trump campaign associates and Russia, and his own contacts.
Senator Richard Burr (R, North Carolina) chair of the committee framed the hearing as giving Sessions an opportunity to “separate fact from fiction.”Senator Richard Burr (R, North Carolina) chair of the committee framed the hearing as giving Sessions an opportunity to “separate fact from fiction.”
Attorney General Sessions said it was critically important to investigate allegations of Russian interference during the election because such interference “can never be tolerated” and he encouraged the committee to get to the bottom of the matter.Attorney General Sessions said it was critically important to investigate allegations of Russian interference during the election because such interference “can never be tolerated” and he encouraged the committee to get to the bottom of the matter.
He said he had no meeting with the Russians at the Mayflower Hotel but did attend a reception with staff of at least two dozen people including President Trump and had conversations during the pre-speech reception but doesn’t remember talking to any Russians.He said he had no meeting with the Russians at the Mayflower Hotel but did attend a reception with staff of at least two dozen people including President Trump and had conversations during the pre-speech reception but doesn’t remember talking to any Russians.
“Any suggestions I was aware of any collusion or to undermine integrity of the democratic process in an appalling and detestable lie,” said Sessions.“Any suggestions I was aware of any collusion or to undermine integrity of the democratic process in an appalling and detestable lie,” said Sessions.
It has been revealed that Sessions before he was selected for Attorney General had two meetings with Russian Ambassador Kislyak and other foreign ambassadors, and he acknowledged those two meetings and but nothing happened that was inappropriate.Committee members were interested to know how Sessions why he recused himself from the Russian investigation.It has been revealed that Sessions before he was selected for Attorney General had two meetings with Russian Ambassador Kislyak and other foreign ambassadors, and he acknowledged those two meetings and but nothing happened that was inappropriate.Committee members were interested to know how Sessions why he recused himself from the Russian investigation.
Sessions said a Department of Justice regulation, 28 CFR 45.2, states that “no employee participating in a criminal prosecution with a personal relationship…with a political campaign, closely identified with a candidate or an elected official…” must recuse himself.Sessions said a Department of Justice regulation, 28 CFR 45.2, states that “no employee participating in a criminal prosecution with a personal relationship…with a political campaign, closely identified with a candidate or an elected official…” must recuse himself.
Sessions said he met with career department officials, including senior ethics officials about what reported in press about his recusal. He said from that point in February until the formal recusal, he did not access any details, received only limited info that career officials determined was necessary for him to make a decision.Sessions said he met with career department officials, including senior ethics officials about what reported in press about his recusal. He said from that point in February until the formal recusal, he did not access any details, received only limited info that career officials determined was necessary for him to make a decision.
“I don’t even read that carefully, and took no action whatsoever in regard to that investigation,” said Sessions.“I don’t even read that carefully, and took no action whatsoever in regard to that investigation,” said Sessions.
On questions over FBI Director, James Comey’s firing, and about his recollection of conversations with Comey, after the briefing, Sessions said Comey did not provide any substance of conversations with the president but he did express concern about proper communications with the White House and president.
“There is nothing wrong with President having a conversation with director of the FBI but cannot discuss ongoing investigations.”
On questions about the decision was made to fire FBI director, James Comey, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) ad when the president had decided to fire him?Sessions said the president asked his and the deputy attorney general’s opinion and it was given and he requested it in writing.Feinstein asked him about conversation he might have had with the president about Comey
“Not able to discuss, confirm or deny private conversations I may have had with the president about this or any other,” said Sessions explaining it was a long adhered rule of the Department of Justice.
Sessions told the Senate Intelligence Committee he never had conversations with FBI Director James Comey about his job performance before Comey's firing.
Sessions recommended the firing last month, raising questions about whether he violated his recusal from the investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russia. But Sessions says he had concerns about Comey's job performance even before he was confirmed.
Sessions called Comey's handling of the Clinton email case a “usurpation'' of Justice Department authority.