Attorney General Feigns Outrage
Under oath Attorney General Jeff Sessions defiantly and with a tone of outrage told the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee he has not committed perjury nor did he have any undisclosed meetings with Russian officials. He also called any claim he colluded with Russia “an appalling and detestable lie.”
Sessions made his remarks as part of his opening statement just after Tuesday afternoon’s hearing commenced. As the Chairman and the Ranking Member made their opening statements, Sessions appeared nervous and could be seen squirming.
“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 honor for 35 years, or to undermine the integrity of our Democratic process is an appalling and detestable lie,” Sessions, attempting an effort to appear outraged, told the Committee.
Sessions also denied meeting with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak at the Mayflower Hotel, as some media reports suggested.
“I did not have any private meetings nor do I recall any conversations with any Russian officials at the Mayflower Hotel,†Sessions said, which would include Russian Ambassador Kislyak. “If any brief interaction occurred in passing with the Russian ambassador during that reception, I do not remember it,†he added.
But he insisted during the two meetings he did hold with Russian officials, “certainly not one thing happened that was improper.”
Stunningly, Sessions claimed that even though he did not meet with Kislyak at the Mayflower Hotel, he was there as an “interested person,” and tried to assure the committee if he did meet with Kislyak, it was totally fine.Â
“I would have gladly reported” meeting Kislyak at the Mayflower Hotel “if I remembered it, or if it actually occurred,” he stated.
Minutes later:
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