Trump's attorney general to respond in writing about Russia contacts
US Attorney General Jeff Sessions will respond in writing to questions by Senate Democrats about his meetings with Russia's ambassador to the US last year. The Democratic senators had requested Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican, to call Sessions for a public hearing to clarify his meetings. Grassley denied the request; leading Sessions to agree to respond to the Democrats in writing.
Senate confirms Jeff Sessions as Trump's attorney general
The US Senate has voted 52-47 in favour of confirming Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions nomination for President Donald Trump's attorney general. Sessions will now take charge over the US Department of Justice. The move comes after a series of divisive hearings in which rival Democrats attacked Sessions's civil rights record. His nomination was among the most controversial in Trump's administration.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions met Russian ambassador during campaign
During the presidential campaign, Trump's attorney general Jeff Sessions met the Russian ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak twice, the Washington Post reported, citing Justice Department officials. Sessions didn't disclose these meetings when asked during his Senate confirmation hearing about possible contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia. Communication with Kislyak had led to Michael Flynn, Trump's first national security adviser's firing in February.
Who is Jeff Sessions?
Jeff Sessions, 70, is a Republican senator from Alabama and the former attorney general of the state. Sessions is considered to be one of the most conservative members of the Senate and is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was the first senator to endorse Donald Trump. He supported the Iraq war and opposes abortion, same-sex marriage and immigration.
Sessions had private conversation with Russian ambassador
One meeting comprised of a private conversation between Sessions and Kislyak in September 2016 while US intelligence officials were investigating alleged Russian interference in the presidential election. At the time, he was also one of Trump's top foreign policy advisers and supporters.
Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi calls for Sessions's resignation
Several senior Democratic lawmakers have called for Sessions's resignation. Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has accused Sessions of lying "under oath during his confirmation hearing before the Senate." She said Sessions stated "under penalty of perjury" that he didn't have "communications with the Russians. We now know that statement is false." Other Democrats feel Sessions should recuse himself of any investigation into Russia.
Sessions-led FBI investigating Russia's links with Trump team
Sessions oversees the Department of Justice as attorney general. He also oversees the FBI which has been leading investigations into Russia's interference in the US election and its possible links to Trump's team.
Sessions calls allegations against him "false"
"I never met with any Russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign. I have no idea what this allegation is about. It is false," Sessions responded. Sessions's spokesperson said he didn't give a misleading answer during his Senate confirmation hearing, adding that his meeting with the Russian ambassador was "as a senator and a member of the armed services committee."
Trump's attorney general Sessions quits Russia investigation
Attorney General Jeff Sessions succumbed to pressure and recused himself from an FBI investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the US election. Sessions said he didn't lie when he testified at his January Senate confirmation hearing that he had "no communications with the Russians." Democrats are demanding his resignation following revelations that he met Russia's ambassador to the US during last year's election campaign.
