Tenn. delegation split over uproar on Sessions, Russia
WASHINGTON – Tennesseans in Congress split among party lines Thursday over the revelation that Attorney General Jeff Sessions met with the Russian ambassador during last year’s presidential campaign and failed to disclose the meetings during his confirmation hearing.
Republican Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander declined to join the chorus of lawmakers — mostly Democrats — calling on Sessions to recuse himself from any investigation of the Trump campaign’s contacts with Russia.
“There is nothing unusual about a member of the Senate meeting with a foreign diplomat,” said Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “On the other hand, I do believe Attorney General Sessions should clarify comments made during his confirmation hearing. He has said he will recuse himself whenever appropriate.”
Alexander said, “Attorney General Sessions has said that he would recuse himself where appropriate, so let’s give him an opportunity to make a decision about this.”
Several hours after the senators and other Congress members weighed in, Sessions announced that he would recuse himself from overseeing the continuing FBI investigation into Russia’s interference in last year’s election. His role in the investigation will now be handled by Dana Boente, the acting deputy attorney general.
Earlier in the day, the two Democrats in Tennessee’s congressional delegation blasted Sessions over the revelations he had met with the Russian ambassador.
Rep. Steve Cohen, DMemphis, called on Sessions to step down.
“Attorney General Sessions must resign,” Cohen said. “Then-Senator Sessions, who was a surrogate for candidate Donald Trump, lied under oath during his confirmation hearing about meeting with the Russian ambassador during the presidential campaign.
“Attorney General Sessions claims to have some wiggle room, but the attorney general must be, like Caesar’s wife, above suspicion. Wiggle room is not acceptable. Therefore, Attorney General Sessions cannot effectively do his job, which includes overseeing the FBI’s investigation into Russia’s attempts to influence our elections.”
Rep. Jim Cooper, DNashville, said: “Attorney General Sessions has ruined his credibility. At least recusal if not resignation will be necessary to restore credibility.”
Sessions, who was a U.S. senator from Alabama and Trump campaign adviser when he met with the Russian ambassador, has denied discussing campaign-related matters with Russian officials.
“I never met with any Russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign,” Sessions said in a statement released late Wednesday. “I have no idea what this allegation is about. It is false.”
Several top Republicans have called on Sessions to recuse himself from any investigation of the Trump campaign’s contacts with Russia, and a number of other Democrats have demanded his resignation.
Sessions on Thursday told NBC News “I have not met with any Russians at any time to discuss any political campaign.”