full open statement attorney general sessions statement strong passionate statement determine sessions.full transcript thank chairman burr rank member warner allow publicly appear committee today.i appreciate committee critically important efforts investigate russian interference democratic process interference never tolerate encourage every effort get bottom allegations.as know deputy attorney general appoint special counsel investigate matter relate russian interference 2016 election today address several issue specifically raise committee appreciate opportunity respond question fully able advise mr. chairman consistent long-standing department justice practice violate duty protect confidential communications president.now let address issue directly private meet recall conversations russian officials mayflower hotel attend meet event prior speech attend reception staff include least two dozen people president trump though recall several conversations pre-speech reception recollection meet talk russian ambassador russian officials brief interaction occur pass russian ambassador reception remember speech interview news media gather remember different room leave hotel.but whether ever attend reception russian ambassador also present entirely beside point investigation russian interference 2016 campaign let state clearly never meet conversations russians foreign officials concern type interference campaign election knowledge conversations anyone connect trump campaign colleague body 20 years suggestion participate collusion aware collusion russian government hurt country serve honor 35 years undermine integrity democratic process appal detestable lie.relatedly assertion answer senator franken question honestly confirmation hear false happen ask ramble question include dramatic new allegations unite state intelligence community advise president-elect trump continue exchange information campaign trump surrogates intermediaries russian government take aback explosive allegations say report break news day want refute immediately suggestion part activity reply senator franken aware activities call surrogate time two campaign communications russians unable comment context ask question context answer fair correct response charge understand simply occur go context question list conversations may russians routine situations numerous foreign officials.please hear march year reporter ask spokesperson whether ever meet russian officials first time question pose day provide reporter information relate meet staff hold senate office ambassador kislyak well brief encounter july speech give convention cleveland ohio also provide reporter list 25 foreign ambassador meet hold 2016. addition provide supplemental testimony senate judiciary committee explain readily acknowledge two meet certainly nothing improper occurred.let also explain clearly circumstances recusal investigation russian interference 2016 election swear attorney general thursday february 9th next day meet career department officials include senior ethics official discuss things publicly report press might bear issue recusal point february 10th announce formal recusal march 2nd never brief investigative detail access information investigation receive limit information department career officials determine necessary inform recusal decision knowledge investigation beyond publicly report take action regard investigation date formal recusal chief staff send email head relevant departments include name director comey fbi instruct inform staff recusal advise brief involve matter fact importantly recuse assert wrongdoing part campaign department justice regulation 28 cfr 45.2 require regulation state effect department employees participate investigations campaign serve campaign advisor.the scope recusal however interfere ability oversee department justice include fbi billion budget 35,000 employees present president concern deputy attorney general rod rosenstein ongoing leadership issue fbi state letter recommend removal mr. comey along deputy attorney general memorandum release publicly white house clear statement view absurd frankly suggest recusal single specific investigation would render attorney general unable manage leadership various department justice law enforcement components conduct thousands investigations.finally testimony mr. comey discuss conversation meet mr. comey president happy share committee recollection conversation mr. comey follow routine morning threat brief mr. comey speak chief staff provide substance conversation president mr. comey express concern proper communications protocol white house president respond comment agree fbi department justice need careful follow department policies regard appropriate contact white house mr. comey serve department justice good part two decades confident mr. comey understand would abide department well-established rule govern communications white house ongoing investigations comment encourage indeed understand department justice rule proper communication department white house place years mr. comey well know think assume correctly comply them.i finish recuse investigation campaign president recuse defend honor scurrilous false allegations time throughout course campaign confirmation process since become attorney general dedicate high standards.the people country expect honest transparent government give president want focus people country ensure treat fairly keep safe trump agenda improve live american people know agendas agenda one share.importantly attorney general responsibility enforce laws nation protect country enemies ensure fair administration justice intend work every day fine team superb professionals department justice advance important work false attack innuendo leak sure intimidate fact events strengthen resolve fulfill duty reduce crime support federal state local law enforcement officer work streets every day last week report overdose deaths country rise fast ever record murder rate 10 percent large increase since 1968. together tell gang cartels fraudsters terrorists come every one citizens matter live right safe home communities deter allow great department deter vital mission.how sad happen good man full transcript video passionate ag sessions please hear now… video