Sessions is the highest-ranking official to be called to testify in the ongoing investigation into possible ties between Russian hackers and the Trump presidential campaign.
Sessions denied any collusion with Russian to meddle in the US presidential election, saying the accusations are "scurrilous", "appalling", "detestable".
Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, said Sessions' "silence speaks volumes". If he did have a conversation with the ambassador, it was "certainly nothing improper". Sessions previously admitted to meeting Kislyak on two other occasions after initially saying during his confirmation hearing that he'd never met with Russian officials. "And now you're not answering questions", Heinrich said. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for holding this hearing in the open, in full view of the American people where it belongs. Several media outlets have reported that Comey told the Intelligence Committee in closed session last week that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was examining whether Sessions met with Kislyak at a Washington hotel a year ago.
The nation's top law enforcement official - who has recused himself from all ongoing Russian Federation investigations - has himself become a focal point in congressional probes into the allegations of election meddling, in possible collusion with Trump's team, that have dogged the young administration.
Immediately after his testimony, Sessions was widely criticised for leaving many key questions unanswered with statements such as "I don't recall" and "I have no recollection".
At one point, Sen. And he objected when Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, suggested he was stonewalling.
"I am not stonewalling", Sessions said.
Rosenstein said he is the only Justice Department official who could dismiss Mueller because Sessions has recused himself from oversight.
Mr Sessions said he was there for a speech by then-candidate Mr Trump and members of Mr Sessions' staff also were there.
Sessions raised his voice in protest when asked what those reasons were.
"Will you let me qualify it?" Wyden. There are none.
"No", Sessions joked, before admitting, "Yes, I do". "This is a secret innuendo being leaked out there about me, and I don't appreciate it".
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GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said multiple agencies have contributed to the reward fund, which she said is likely to increase. From Los Angeles to Arkansas to Spalding County, people are thanking the officers for their service to the State of Georgia.
Sessions did confirm that Comey had approached him with concerns about President Trump speaking to him to seemingly exert influence over the FBI's Russian Federation investigation. Have he and the president ever discussed the possibility of issuing criminal pardons in the Russian Federation matter?
Sessions told Wyden he "basically recused" himself from the Russian Federation investigation during his first day as attorney general because he "never accessed files, never learned the names of investigators, never met with them, never asked for any documentation".
A couple hours later, Sessions was singing a somewhat different tune.
Secondly, Mr. Comey - perhaps he didn't know - but I basically recused myself the day, the first day I got into office because I never accessed files.
"Mr. Comey expressed concern about proper communications protocol with the White House and the president", Sessions said. Sessions became attorney general in February but did not recuse himself from that probe until March. He responded to questions regarding comments Monday from Christopher Ruddy, the chief executive of Newsmax Media and a friend of Donald Trump, that Trump might fire Robert S. Mueller III.
As multiple investigations into Russian involvement in the 2016 elections hang like a cloud over Washington, the current USA political drama often reads like a spy novel.
Sessions has been under political fire as he recused himself from the investigation, and then in May, fired FBI director James Comey. The Justice Department has denied such a meeting occurred.
"I'm not able to invoke executive privilege, that's the president's prerogative", Sessions said. "I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting, and so I thought it really important to document", the ex-FBI director testified. "If there were not good cause, it wouldn't matter to me what anybody says".
Why? Because he personally recused himself from all things related to the Trump campaign's ties to Russian Federation the day after he was sworn into office.
Even with his recusal from the investigation, Sessions made it clear he was going to defend himself against the allegations.
Sen. Jack Reed asked Sessions to provide the written rules he cited, while Sen. I don't think your answer passes the smell test. Sessions told appropriators that the Intelligence panel was the more "appropriate forum" in the wake of Comey's testimony.
"I know what we're investigating", Rosenstein said Tuesday.
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