Sessions spoke twice with Russian ambassador during Trump's presidential campaign
Source: Washington Post
Then-Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) spoke twice last year with Russias ambassador to the United States, Justice Department officials said, encounters he did not disclose when asked about possible contacts between members of President Trumps campaign and representatives of Moscow during Sessionss confirmation hearing to become attorney general.
One of the meetings was a private conversation between Sessions and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak that took place in September in the senators office, at the height of what U.S. intelligence officials say was a Russian cyber campaign to upend the U.S. presidential race.
The previously undisclosed discussions could fuel new congressional calls for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russias alleged role in the 2016 presidential election. As attorney general, Sessions oversees the Justice Department and the FBI, which have been leading investigations into Russian meddling and any links to Trumps associates. He has so far resisted calls to recuse himself.
...At his Jan. 10 Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Sessions was asked by Sen. Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat, what he would do if he learned of any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of the 2016 campaign.
Im not aware of any of those activities, he responded. He added: I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/sessions-spoke-twice-with-russian-ambassador-during-trumps-presidential-campaign-justice-officials-say/2017/03/01/77205eda-feac-11e6-99b4-9e613afeb09f_story.html?utm_term=.19ce726a193e
uponit7771
(90,348 posts)... collusion, there needs to be no proof of collussion for an independent investigation just contacts with an agresser country for this shit to go down to the wire.
FailureToCommunicate
(14,018 posts)The smell MUST be alerting some authorites who are in a position to do SOMETHING.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,115 posts)So that's okay.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)riversedge
(70,267 posts).........At his Jan. 10 Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Sessions was asked by Sen. Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat, what he would do if he learned of any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of the 2016 campaign.
Im not aware of any of those activities, he responded. He added: I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians.....................
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,791 posts)3catwoman3
(24,024 posts)Very good, indeed.
Kablooie
(18,637 posts)kairos12
(12,865 posts)lastlib
(23,263 posts)Whatever discussions they had could be a prelude to the kind of deal that Hitler and Stalin made (thru their respective foreign ministers, V. Molotov and Joachim von Ribbentrop) in Aug. 1939 that led to the partitioning of conquered Poland in the opening months of WWII. Given the Exxon-Mobil deal with Russia, and the Russian takeover of the Crimea, I can seriously see something like this happening.
Congress had better GET OFF THEIR ASSES and throw these basturds to the curb, before all end up in something we SERIOUSLY do not want to be messed up in!!
riversedge
(70,267 posts)Whow--this is explosive!! IMHO!
Then-Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) spoke twice last year with Russias ambassador to the United States, Justice Department officials said, encounters he did not disclose when asked about possible contacts between members of President Trumps campaign and representatives of Moscow during Sessionss confirmation hearing to become attorney general.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/sessions-spoke-twice-with-russian-ambassador-during-trumps-presidential-campaign-justice-officials-say/2017/03/01/77205eda-feac-11e6-99b4-9e613afeb09f_story.html?utm_term=.19ce726a193e
riversedge
(70,267 posts)yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)Let's get this party started!!!
riversedge
(70,267 posts)riversedge
(70,267 posts)riversedge
(70,267 posts)riversedge
(70,267 posts)riversedge
(70,267 posts)riversedge
(70,267 posts)New Yorker Reporter.
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)They're not going to get away with lying.
It's amazing how some people in public office think they are above the law.
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)Docreed2003
(16,869 posts)NewRedDawn
(790 posts)I despise that little elf neo-confederate Son of a bitch! The whole Putin Publicans are involved in either the Coup or the cover up. And I believe that snake Comey & The NY FBI with Ghouliani are involved deeply too!
Docreed2003
(16,869 posts)nycbos
(6,035 posts)... speaking with a foreign ambassador. However what we know about Trump's ties to Russia this could be another major element of the Scandal. There absolutely needs to be a independent investigation.
Since loyalty is not a big part of Trump's group (Bannon etc) maybe Sessions is the type of person who would squeal for a deal if necessary.
riversedge
(70,267 posts)nycbos
(6,035 posts)It a another layer to the Russia saga.
Ccarmona
(1,180 posts)He lied to the Senate in his confirmation hearing, to Sen Franken and in writing to Sen Leahy.
BeyondGeography
(39,377 posts)That's pretty clear.
nycbos
(6,035 posts)Volaris
(10,274 posts)What was the Bush line?? If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear? If true, then the inverse is 'if you have nothing to fear you have nothing to hide'....
If Republicans are held to their own (admittedly bullshit) standard, Sessions has proved beyond doubt he should be fucking. terrified. right now
It's time for an independent investigation, since the justice dept can now be reasonably accused of bias.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,653 posts)Which is what makes the lying even more suspicious. If he had admitted to it and pointed out senators are free to meet with ambassadors, no problem (though still problematic optics given it was Russia). That he covered up something usually not noteworthy is massively noteworthy.
nycbos
(6,035 posts)If he said yes I spoke to the Russian ambassador. This is what we discussed. And then said I also spoke to the ambassadors from these countries if he spoke to any others then it wouldn't be an issue.
It is the fact he denied it that makes it a huge problem on top of everything else we know about Russia.
You think politicians will learn it is almost always the coverup that gets them in trouble. Not the act itself.
mobeau69
(11,149 posts)God love the Post.
riversedge
(70,267 posts)☮ JacquiUpNorth
☮ Retweeted
Annie Woodard @annie_woodard 3m3 minutes ago
MSNBC is going for Trump and Sessions. Game's on. #TrumpPutin
0 replies 1 retweet 1 like
riversedge
(70,267 posts)hearing.
mobeau69
(11,149 posts)Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), who asked Sessions about Russia connections during his confirmation hearings, said he was "troubled" by the report.
If its true that Attorney General Sessions met with the Russian ambassador in the midst of the campaign, then I am very troubled that his response to my questioning during his confirmation hearing was, at best, misleading, Franken told the Washington Post in a statement on Wednesday.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/321930-sessions-spoke-with-russian-ambassador-durin
He Fucking Lied coldly & proudly in your face!
Zo Zig
(600 posts)WTF. This is utter bullshit, the repigs are going to own this shit. Scum.
nycbos
(6,035 posts)The guy who died was the ambassador to the UN. This was Russia's ambassador to the United States
Zo Zig
(600 posts)NT
nycbos
(6,035 posts)Zo Zig
(600 posts)Posion, Greatest Hits. Great hair metal.
INdemo
(6,994 posts)was hacked on election night..and yes I believe the Republicans stole the damn thing.
Freethinker65
(10,029 posts)C_U_L8R
(45,013 posts)for the confirmation hearings (when he lied, twice)???
riversedge
(70,267 posts)C_U_L8R
(45,013 posts)Done. Over.
mobeau69
(11,149 posts)Not sure, but it may not even be required to make lying to a Senate hearing to be a crime. Hell, it's illegal to lie to your local police doing an investigation. No oath required.
OliverQ
(3,363 posts)Senator Franken just made a statement saying he was under oath. You can't have someone committing perjury in charge of the DoJ.
FailureToCommunicate
(14,018 posts)Belated Welcome to DU by the way!
riversedge
(70,267 posts)Sessions need to go down just like Flynn did!
#CalExit NaphiSoc @NaphiSoc 3m3 minutes ago
BREAKING NEWS
Jeff Session BLANTANTLY LIED about Contacts during his confirmation hearing
#TrumpPutin
#TrumpRussia
Link to tweet
riversedge
(70,267 posts)TAPSTRI CYBER-MEDIA @TAPSTRIMEDIA 25m25 minutes ago
Then there was this warning from @MalcolmNance on Russian Active measures in July 2016 on @hardball @MSNBC #trumpputin
Link to tweet
Blue Idaho
(5,052 posts)Is a liar and a traitor. He has no business running the Justice Department, he should be prosecuted by them.
Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)OMFG: This is now officially a Banana Republic!
riversedge
(70,267 posts)This is very serious. very serious.
Peter DaouVerified account @peterdaou 9m9 minutes ago
1. TRUMP/RUSSIA THREAD. Let's cut through all the static and spin on Trump and Russia. It's actually very simple. And unprecedented. (1/12)
2 replies 79 retweets 121 likes
8 more replies
Peter DaouVerified account @peterdaou 5m5 minutes ago
10. TRUMP ALWAYS DEFENDS PUTIN. The entire political world is baffled by Trump's categorical refusal to say anything negative about Putin.
1 reply 5 retweets 12 likes
Peter DaouVerified account @peterdaou 5m5 minutes ago
11. THIS IS A HISTORIC SCANDAL. Watergate is small fry compared to a hostile power tipping our election (possibly working with Team Trump).
dalton99a
(81,558 posts)YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)dhill926
(16,349 posts)but I'm sure the repubs will circle the wagons and stonewall this like everything else. fuckers...
riversedge
(70,267 posts)A fitting poster for lying sleezeball Session!
Tweet
OdD BaLL'z...✌ @ericsean467 8m8 minutes ago
@TAPSTRIMEDIA @CourtneySwans20 @MalcolmNance @hardball @MSNBC
@jeffsessions HAS to "recuse" himself, THIS IS "A #conflict OF Interest!.."
Link to tweet
bucolic_frolic
(43,244 posts)LOCK HIM UP!
NCjack
(10,279 posts)walked away without being damaged. But, he testified that he had no contact in this Senate hearing. Hopefully, the FBI can charge him for false testimony.
Leghorn21
(13,525 posts)going to tattoo those words on my forehead tomorrow, LIED UNDER OATH!!
riversedge
(70,267 posts)NCjack
(10,279 posts)worth a % point in the 2018 elections.
riversedge
(70,267 posts)Kyle GriffinVerified account @kylegriffin1 3m3 minutes ago
Ranking Dem on House Intel Cmte, Adam Schiff, is now calling on Sessions to recuse himself if reports are true.
Link to tweet
Tanuki
(14,920 posts)"Another reminder: Jefferson Sessions was the vehicle that creepy anti-immigrant zealot Stephen Miller AND Carter Page rode to Trumpville."
riversedge
(70,267 posts)riversedge
(70,267 posts)28m
The Joss Group @thejossgroup
@JoyAnnReid you have read this before but names coming out now
How Did a Russian Spy Get Elected President of the United States?mollyjossoutloud.wordpress.com
27m
Drogon @drogon_dracarys
@JoyAnnReid Didn't realize Carter was Sessions recommended. Ddid you see this interview of him w Channel 4 in UK?
Trump: Carter Page interviewchannel4.com
25m
https://www.channel4.com/news/trump-carter-page-interview
Joy Reid @JoyAnnReid
Flashback: @juliaioffe went on an expedition to find Carter Page, who no one in Trumpworld would admit even knowing: (link: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/09/the-mystery-of-trumps-man-in-moscow-214283) politico.com/magazine
mobeau69
(11,149 posts)A Sessions spokeswoman said Sessions was acting as a member of the Armed Services Committee, not as a Trump surrogate, when he spoke with the ambassador, and was not trying to mislead fellow senators when he said during his confirmation hearing that he had not had contacts with Moscow.
"Not trying to mislead" - So he admits he mislead them but now tries to excuse it by saying he wan't "trying" to. That dog won't hunt IMO.
NewRedDawn
(790 posts)How about a little waterboard Jeffie to get the truth out of you. You know the "enhanced" interogations you are trying to bring back.
BeyondGeography
(39,377 posts)Not misleading in the least.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,341 posts)Members of the committee have not been beating a path to Kislyaks door, a senior Senate Armed Services Committee staffer said, citing tensions in relations with Moscow. Besides Sessions, the staffer added, There havent been a ton of members who are looking to meet with Kislyak for their committee duties.
A special investigator is needed; Sessions must recuse himself from all investigations related to the Trump
BeyondGeography
(39,377 posts)What was the meeting about, Jeff? And if it was Committee business, which Senator(s) did you discuss it with? You'd think they would have been all ears since no one else met with Ambassador...
elfin
(6,262 posts)Or if Al had the knowledge from a "leaker" to him or from intel given to him and other senators with the ground rule that it was not to be public. Or did he just intuit it?
Native
(5,942 posts)Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)When will lying under oath ever mean anything? I am so tired of being expected to accept this crap as nothing more than "business as usual - they all do it". Perjury is a punishable offense - at least for the average Joe Citizen. This has got to stop being seen as the norm for Politicians, Government Officials and even CEO's. This goes for both Democrats and Republicans - they are not above the law. ENOUGH!!
riversedge
(70,267 posts)Fine by me!!
Emily C. SingerVerified account @CahnEmily
Welp, the afterglow of the joint address is officially gone.
Link to tweet
Replies:
Sabrina Irfan @IrfanSabrina 52m52 minutes ago
@CahnEmily Finally! Back to the real story: RUSSIA.
0 replies 0 retweets 9 likes
Bernadette North @notbern 58m58 minutes ago
@CahnEmily It's about time!
0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
lucca18
(1,243 posts)It seem as if almost everyone in the Trump administration is connected to Russia .
We need an independent thorough investigation.
mobeau69
(11,149 posts)Everybody in DC knows this.
mobeau69
(11,149 posts)"Recusal is the bare minimum".
Zorro
(15,747 posts)Princess Turandot
(4,787 posts)for lying about a blow job.
Meanwhile, he lied while testifying to the Senate, on a matter of actual substance.
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)Senator Franken was questioning him about this? If He lied under oathe he has committed felony perjury.
GoCubsGo
(32,086 posts)bluecollar2
(3,622 posts)ancianita
(36,128 posts)No Attorney General should be allowed to head the DOJ when he has committed perjury before Congress.
Such lawbreaking breaks the foundation of our justice system.
wiggs
(7,814 posts)...check out the whole series by Mensch. So many potential problems...if half are true the administration is screwed.
https://patribotics.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/jeff-sessions-attorney-general-suspect/
nikibatts
(2,198 posts)Kablooie
(18,637 posts)So all evidence to the contrary, nothing to see here, move along.
Sheesh.
When oh when will there be enough evidence to force a real investigation?
EarthFirst
(2,901 posts)Tatiana
(14,167 posts)He's going to dig in his heels, but I believe where there is smoke, there's fire.
He will probably be forced to resign.
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,264 posts)Meaning that so many are involved at the highest levels of the current Executive and Legislative branches (which was probably done on purpose) that they will be able to get away with it (typical Wall Street tactic).
Native
(5,942 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Pantagruel
(2,580 posts)Dan Pfeiffer ✔ @danpfeiffer
The Russian Ambassador at the GOP Convention at the exact moment Trump adopts the most pro-Russia platform in history is really something
Follow
Matthew Yglesias ✔ @mattyglesias
@danpfeiffer And supposedly nobody from the campaign even talked him about it! Kind of lazy.
7:28 AM - 2 Mar 2017 · Washington, DC
IronLionZion
(45,484 posts)They should all be fired and thrown in Leavenworth