Sessions added his own letter to that effect, and both documents were sent to Trump, who then fired Comey later on the same day, May 9.
The eyes of Washington turn again to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, where embattled Attorney General Jeff Sessions faces questions over his Russian Federation contacts and role in the firing of Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey.
On the issue of his role in the firing of former FBI director James Comey after recusing himself from the Russian investigation, he cited 28 CFR 45.2 - Disqualification arising from personal or political relationship.
You can watch the session online on the Senate Intelligence committee's website.
Sessions said that Comey expressed concerns about proper communications protocol with the White House, and that he responded to those concerns and encouraged him to talk about protocol with the White House.
The former Alabama senator defended himself against accusations that he misrepresented himself during his confirmation hearing by saying he hadn't met with Russian officials during the campaign. Sessions answered. "There are none, Sen".
Sessions told Senate panel he did not have a third meeting with Russian ambassador, nor he had any private meetings with any Russian officials at the Mayflower Hotel. The story contradicted Sessions during his confirmation hearing, when he said, "I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign, and I did not have communications with the Russians". That was not so, he said.
Regarding his March 2 recusal, Sessions said he not briefed on the investigation into Russian Federation, "which is ongoing today", except as it was relevant for him to make the decision to recuse himself.
Sen. Mark Warner began the questioning, first reflecting on last week's testimony from James Comey. There are none, Sen.
Sessions raised his voice to the Democratic senator pressing him for an answer, insisting there were no such reasons. "People are suggesting through innuendo that I have been not honest about matters, and I've tried to be honest".
Instead he maintained that he was "not stonewalling", but "following the historic policies of the Department of Justice".
Reed to press Sessions for answers on Russian Federation meetings, Comey firing
During a congressional hearing, Comey signaled that there were some yet unknown by the public reasons behind Sessions's recusal. The committee shortly after said the hearing would be open.
Sessions, who feigned outrage and indignation several times earlier in this hearing, said, "I'm protecting the president's constitutional right by not giving it away before he has a chance to view it".
The AG revealed he and Trump discussed, before he was confirmed, terminating Comey.
He said he would agree to dismiss Mueller only if there were a legitimate basis to do so, and an order from the president would not necessarily qualify.
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, who is the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Judiciary Committee, said on Twitter that Sessions had provided false testimony to him and Sen.
"Some of that leaked out of the committee, that he said in closed setting", Sessions said.
-He said he felt OK leaving Comey alone with the president in the Oval Office. "Yet you participated in the firing of Mr Comey over his handling of that same investigation".
Asked about Comey's firing, Sessions said Comey's decision to announce that Hillary Clinton would not be prosecuted over her emails was a "usurpation" of the Justice Department's authority.
Earlier, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., asked Sessions why, after recusing himself from the Russian Federation inquiry, he signed a letter last month recommending that President Trump fire Comey.
"No, Mr. Chairman. I've racked my brain to make sure I can answer any of those questions correctly and I did not".
Attorney General Jeff Sessions says the suggestion that he colluded with Russians in the 2016 presidential election "is an appalling and detestable lie".
However, Mr Sessions is not anticipated to discuss any details about his private conversations with Mr Trump.
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