We’ve known for some time that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is a liar, but we’re finally beginning to get a sense of just how deep it goes.
This past January 10, during his confirmation hearing, Jeff Sessions, when asked by Senator Al Franken whether or not he’d had any contact with any representatives from the Kremlin during his time as a member of the Trump campaign, responded, “(I) did not have communications with the Russians.” He not only said this while under oath during the televised hearing, but, just seven days later, when asked in writing by Senator Patrick Leahy whether or not he had “been in contact with anyone connected to any part of the Russian government about the 2016 election, either before or after election day,” Sessions doubled down, answering with a definitive, “No.” These statements, as we’d soon discover were both false.
This past March, we learned that Sessions, in direct contradiction of his sworn testimony, had in fact met at least twice with Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak. [As you’ll recall, Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn was forced to leave the administration when it became know that tapes existed of him talking about the possibility of ending U.S. sanctions against Russia with Kislyak the month before Trump was to take office.] Sessions, of course, like everyone else in the administration, begrudgingly acknowledged the meetings once they became public, but was quick to suggest that they had nothing whatsoever to do with the Trump administration. “I did meet with this one Russian official a couple of times,” Sessions admitted, but, he added, “(I) never had meetings with Russian operatives or government intermediaries about the Trump campaign.”
Well, it would seem as though this too is now being called into question.
News just broke this weekend that our intelligence community has intercepted communications between Ksilyak and the Kremlin, in which the Russian Ambassador apparently told his higher-ups that substantive conversations were had between himself and Sessions about what a Trump victory might mean for the Kremlin.
So, just to recap, Sessions denied having any contact whatsoever with the Russians during the campaign, and, when he was found to be lying, explained away the meetings by saying they had nothing at all to do with his role as Donald Trump’s foreign policy advisor. And, now, assuming we can believe these newly disclosed intercepts, it would seem as though that too was a lie. And, that’s not all. If I’m reading the reports correctly, it would appear as though these intercepts also confirm the men met a third time, at the Mayflower Hotel, just after Trump gave the first foreign policy speech of his campaign, which, as coincidence would have it, was very pro-Russia.
Interestingly, just after this news broke about the existence of intercepts detailing these discussions between Kislyak and Sessions, the Kremlin announced the Ambassador’s tenure in the United States had come to an end. Also of note, this most recent intelligence leak, which clearly doesn’t help the already embattled Attorney General, comes just a few days after Trump said to the New York Times that he never would have brought Sessions on as his Attorney General if he’d known that he was going to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. As for who might have leaked this most recent information, it would appear that, like the leaks that came before, it came from inside the White House. If I had to guess, I’d say the leak originated with the President himself, who, according to scuttlebutt, wants Sessions gone, as he’s refusing to fire special prosecutor Robert Mueller… Regardless of who might be behind the leak, or what motivated it, it’s looking like Sessions might have the opportunity to play Scarlet O’Hara in that prison production of Gone With the Wind after all… Unless, of course, he’s able to convince Mueller that he’s the one person who deserves to walk free in exchange for his testimony. There’s just one one golden ticket, though, and they’re all fighting for it.
[note: I know the “tit in a wringer” analogy is crude, but I’ve been revisiting Watergate these past few weeks, like I’m sure a lot of you have, and that phrase from “All The President’s Men,” just keeps echoing in around in my head. Nixon Attorney General John Mitchell, as some of you might recall, was said to have uttered it when describing what would happen to Washington Post Publisher Katherine Graham if she went forward and published a story about there being a secret fund within the Committee to Reelect the President to, among other things, fund shady information gathering activities and dirty tricks, essentially tying the Watergate burglary to the White House. As it turned out, it was Mitchell’s tit that was in the wringer, as he was one of the individuals that controlled the fund… If Sessions was smart, he would have thought about this before following in Mitchell’s footsteps, serving as Attorney General for a corrupt administration.]
14 Comments
It sounds crazy to suggest that the president might put information like this out, as it reflects band on him. When you think about it though, this might be his only choice if Sessions has refused to fire Mueller.
#BeleagueredBeauregard
“Trump takes another swipe at Sessions”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/07/24/trump-takes-another-swipe-at-sessions-urges-clinton-russia-probe.html
The President just tweeted about the “beleaguered AG”. Wonders why he isn’t investigating Hillary’s emails and her links to Russia. I wonder how long Sessions stays. Sessions can’t fire Mueller, he’s recused himself. It’s up to assistant AG. Great article.
Axios: “Trump ponders Rudy Giuliani for attorney general”
Read more:
https://www.axios.com/exclusive-trump-ponders-rudy-giuliani-for-attorney-general-2464579234.html
Dude, we’re all gonna posse up and somehow get into that prison to see that play. It’ll be amazeballs! I imagine a guy named T (just T) playing Rhett and the two of them making sweet, sweet music together (wink). You may say I’m a dreamer, but perhaps we could use this play as a way to bring the gangs together. Ol’ JB will still be bought and sold and passed around like it’s a poker game at the VFW Hall but maybe there could be some peace, yeah?
It just gets worse and worse but is a very good test of the integrity of the GOP members of congress. I just hope that voters are paying attention enough to see that voting in a different congress is what we need
I hope his guards are exclusively female. And that he is allowed zero visitation.
I’d like to think Congress couldn’t possibly allow Trump to install Giuliani as AG, but, really, who knows anymore? These are terrifying times we’re living through.
McConnell threw Senate rules asides for a lifetime SCOTUS appt. Don’t be surprised if he’d do it for a temporary AG appt. Just be prepared.
Robert Costa @costareports:
NEWS: Trump and confidants privately discussing possibility of replacing AG Sessions. Talks are informal, for now.
https://twitter.com/costareports/status/889627460819726336
Trump was at it again at 3:00 this morning.
“Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!”
He clearly lacks the courage to come right out and fire Sessions, so he’s attempting to force him out so that he can install someone who will kill the Mueller investigation. We cannot allow that to happen.
Sessions is “pissed” at Trump and is vowing not to resign, sources tell The Daily Beast.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/jeff-sessions-is-growing-pissed-at-trump-his-allies-say-and-he-doesnt-plan-to-quit
The knives around out.
Roger Stone: “Time to can this loser and appoint an AG who will prosecute Obama spying crimes and Clinton thievery, Mr. President.”
https://twitter.com/RogerJStoneJr/status/889881595003506688