washington u.s. attorney general jeff sessions refuse answer question thursday close congressional hear whether president donald trump ever instruct hind justice department investigation russian interference 2016 election accord democratic lawmakers attend sessions testify behind close doors several hours u.s. house representatives intelligence committee representative adam schiff committee top democrat tell reporters trouble sessions refusal answer believe essential question ask attorney general whether ever instruct president take action believe would hind russia investigation decline answer question schiff tell reporters hear privilege basis decline answer question like president instruct take action would hind investigation say president instruct hind investigation way view would potential criminal act schiff say representative mike quigley another democratic committee member say msnbc sessions one forgetful persons work washington d.c. less candid american public sessions decline comment reporters leave secure hear room panel among several congressional committees along justice department special counsel robert mueller investigate allegations russia seek influence u.s. election potential collusion trump campaign moscow deny meddle trump say collusion another source familiar testimony say sessions say could remember answer many important question answer provide concern meet russians track statements previously make congressional hear spokeswoman sessions say consistently decline discuss communications trump past also previously say never instruct anything illegal improper republican u.s. senator sessions early supporter close adviser trump run white house democrats accuse sessions repeatedly change swear testimony throughout several prior congressional hear meet contact trump campaign russian officials schiff say committee members ask sessions question close hear prior testimony interactions campaign russia intelligence committee also meet three hours thursday erik prince found private military contractor blackwater supporter trump presidential campaign one focus thursday interview expect meet prince seychelles islands january news report late describe effort connect incoming trump administration moscow prince sister betsy devos trump secretary education say seychelles meet nothing trump schiff tell reporters unresolved issue prince testimony prince complain hear waste time taxpayer dollars meaningless fish expedition spokesman prince late issue statement say prince volunteer answer question say throughout mr. prince never act behalf president trump transition team administration regard russia republican-led committee plan publicly release transcript prince close hear describe public close set within three days plan release transcript sessions testimony u.s. attorney general sessions evasive russia probe congressmen