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| Jeff Sessions calls claims he colluded with Russia for Trump a 'detestable lie' | Jeff Sessions calls claims he colluded with Russia for Trump a 'detestable lie' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Attorney General Jeff Sessions has insisted he did not have contact with any foreign officials in a campaign capacity when he was an advisor on Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. | Attorney General Jeff Sessions has insisted he did not have contact with any foreign officials in a campaign capacity when he was an advisor on Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. |
| “Let me state this clearly, colleagues: I have never met with or had any conversation with, any Russians or any foreign officials concerning any type of interference with any campaign or election in the United States”, Mr Sessions said, addressing the Senate Intelligence Committee. | “Let me state this clearly, colleagues: I have never met with or had any conversation with, any Russians or any foreign officials concerning any type of interference with any campaign or election in the United States”, Mr Sessions said, addressing the Senate Intelligence Committee. |
| “Further I have no knowledge of any such conversations by anyone connected to the Trump campaign." | “Further I have no knowledge of any such conversations by anyone connected to the Trump campaign." |
| Mr Sessions appeared somewhat disturbed by the notion that anyone thought he may have colluded with the Russian government in order to sway the 2016 election in any way. | |
| “The suggestion that I participated in any collusion, that I was aware of any collusion with the Russian government, to hurt this country, which I have served with honour for 35 years, or to undermine the integrity of our democratic process, is an appalling and detestable lie,” Mr Sessions said. | “The suggestion that I participated in any collusion, that I was aware of any collusion with the Russian government, to hurt this country, which I have served with honour for 35 years, or to undermine the integrity of our democratic process, is an appalling and detestable lie,” Mr Sessions said. |
| The statements came less than a week after former FBI Director James Comey testified before the same committee. Mr Comey said then, that he had asked Mr Sessions to make sure that he wasn’t left alone in a room with the President, because he was concerned that the conversations might breach in protocol from usual relations between the executive branch and the FBI. Mr Sessions confirmed that they had discussed the proper protocols. | The statements came less than a week after former FBI Director James Comey testified before the same committee. Mr Comey said then, that he had asked Mr Sessions to make sure that he wasn’t left alone in a room with the President, because he was concerned that the conversations might breach in protocol from usual relations between the executive branch and the FBI. Mr Sessions confirmed that they had discussed the proper protocols. |
| Mr Sessions defended his role in the firing of Mr Comey, saying that he still retained the ability as the attorney general to oversee FBI leadership even though he had recused himself from investigations into alleged Russian collusion. The Attorney General clarified that he hadn’t recused himself because of any wrongdoing, but rather because of Justice Department protocol that restricted him from participating in an investigation into a campaign that he had been a part of. | Mr Sessions defended his role in the firing of Mr Comey, saying that he still retained the ability as the attorney general to oversee FBI leadership even though he had recused himself from investigations into alleged Russian collusion. The Attorney General clarified that he hadn’t recused himself because of any wrongdoing, but rather because of Justice Department protocol that restricted him from participating in an investigation into a campaign that he had been a part of. |
| Many people cried foul when Mr Comey was fired last month, saying that the President’s decision constituted an obstruction of justice. Mr Trump later confirmed that the Russia investigation played a part in his decision to remove Mr Comey. | Many people cried foul when Mr Comey was fired last month, saying that the President’s decision constituted an obstruction of justice. Mr Trump later confirmed that the Russia investigation played a part in his decision to remove Mr Comey. |
| Mr Sessions told the Senate that he couldn't confirm or deny any private conversations that he had with the President about Mr Comey's firing, but did not say he was doing so because of executive privilege. Democrats on the committee noted that Mr Sessions was, legally speaking, free to discuss non-classified conversations with the President. Republicans like | |
| "I just don't understand your legal basis for your refusal to answer", Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine, said. | |
| Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, defended Mr Sessions' decision not to discuss his private conversations with the President. Mr Lankford said that certain conversations with the President should remain private, and that there is a lengthy history of past attorneys general staying mum about their conversations with their presidents. | |
| The controversy that resulted from the removal of the FBI chief ultimately led Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to install former FBI Director Robert Mueller to head up an special counsel investigating the Russia’s 2016 meddling. | |
| Since then, some reports have indicated Mr Trump has been considering firing Mr Mueller from his position as special prosecutor, or counsel. | Since then, some reports have indicated Mr Trump has been considering firing Mr Mueller from his position as special prosecutor, or counsel. |
| Mr Sessions told the Senate Intelligence Committee that he didn’t think it would be appropriate to remove Mr Mueller, and that he has confidence in him. | Mr Sessions told the Senate Intelligence Committee that he didn’t think it would be appropriate to remove Mr Mueller, and that he has confidence in him. |