Transcripts For MSNBCW Andrea Mitchell Reports 20171114 : vi

Important. Its a relationship based on respect. To me a relationship based on respect is much more important than anything else, including friendship, because this is really something they have to respect our country and they have not respected our country for a long period of time. Thank you all very much. Have a good time. And good day, everyone. Im Andrea Mitchell in washington. During a break in the hearing, weve been playing president trumps comments to the press en route from manila to honolulu. Theyve just landed there, feeding that for us. As you heard, he had a word with president xi and the basketball players, the ucla players who were arrested for shoplifting, on shoplifting charges, are apparently en route back. Then, of course, questions about Jeff Sessions today in washington. Press by dem krakts on tocratic committee. Jeff sessions is denying that he ever set it up. Security analyst matt miller. The former chief spokesman for general eric holder. Pete williams, what was your big takeaway of the hearing so far of Jeff Sessions . If i had to pick up one thing, andrea, it would simply be this. All these calls for another special counsel to look at how Hillary Clintons email issue was handled, how Loretta Lynch conducted herself, how there was completion of ea uranium deal. What he basically said to them today is, i have your letter. Well look at it seriously. Weve asked the career people here to look at it but theres a very high bar before we can open another special counsel investigation. I thought he was really trying to tamp down expectations that there was going to be another special counsel open on this any time soon or even at all. And matt miller, from your perspective having been at the Justice Department, pretty extraordinary that the president of the United States and others in the Republican Party would be pressing the attorney general to investigate the defeated opposition candidate on charges, frankly, that we have fact checked and that dont add up. Yeah. It is a completely appropriate thing for the president to have been doing. It would be a lawless action for the administration to take. The letter that Jeff Sessions sent last night was a really unusual letter. I should say the department of justice sent to congress. Usually you would get a letter they send to special counsel and say, well look at the issues youve raised and take whatever appropriate action we feel is warranted by the circumstances. They went a bit further by raising the possibility that he might appoint a special counsel. Thats an unusual thing for the attorney general to do. I think the letter was sent to congress but there was one audience Jeff Sessions really had in mind, and thats his boss, the president , donald trump. And congressman eric swallow from the committee. Youve come out during this break. Thank you for joining us. What struck you during this hearing . I know there were a lot of questions about prior statements that he had never met with anyone who had met with russians, and that was contradicted by the supplement deal about papadopoulos having met with russia. Good morning, andrea. He started his stotestimony by saying, my story has never changed. Then he went on to say he does recall the meeting in 2012 with George Papadopoulos. At least the second time having to Tell Congress of what happened with russian contacts occurred. I think we need to get, finally, him to be fully forthcoming to tell us what contacts have the campaign had with russia . What was he aware of . What was discussed with candidate trump and what did he do, you know, to try and stop these contacts . It sounds like he may have actually told papadopoulos that this wasnt a good idea. He recalled that today. But did he tell carter page, who also testified that he told Jeff Sessions he was on his way to russia, not to do that, or did he tell anybody else on the campaign . One other point we should just make is that he also said under questioning that he has no reason not to believe the women who have made accusations against roy moore in his home state of alabama. I know you have to go back in. Well talk to you a little later. Thank you very much, congressman, and back to the hearing. Thanks, andrea. This thing with trump and russia, closed quote. General sessions, do you think it would be reasonable for the members of this committee to conclude that the president , by first interfering in one investigation and then interfering in an investigation into himself committed obstruction of justice . I dont believe thats a fair conclusion, and i would but its a matter that i guess would be would rest with the special counsel. And the obstruction of justice being any, among other definitions, the most popular one. In statute any communication that endeavors to impede the dew administration of justice, thats exactly what the president did in both of those cases. And in spite of moving on to the special counsel, you brought up in spite of efforts, bipartisan efforts, to protect the special counsel, mr. Mueller, Republican Leadership and this committee have refused to take action to ensure hes protected. Do you believe the president has authority to fire special counsel mueller . Im not able to express an opinion on that at this point. Can he fire members of the special counsels team . Im not able to answer that. General sessions, do you believe that the president should have the authority to be able to block investigations into his own campaign . Investigations have to be conducted by the appropriate Law Enforcement offices without fear and favor, without politics or bias. Right. And without fear of being dismissed by the president in order to block that investigation, because again, that would certainly appear to represent obstruction of justice. And when you fail to acknowledge that, it is essentially on the president to go ahead and do that. There are some dimtindictments, there is a guilty plea. Can you tell me, does the president have the power to pardon George Papadopoulos . That would be premature for me to comment on that, i believe. Because the president has power to pardon, theres no doubt about that. Right. Does he have the power to pardon Paul Manafort and rick gates ahead of a trial and a conviction . Im not able to comment on that. I havent researched that question. I think theres maybe a set of laws. What do you think the set of laws is . I dont know. Does he have a power to pardon michael cain . Could the president today pardon donald trump jr. , among other things, for being in contact with wikileaks regarding these emails . Can he make those pardons today before there is anything further that comes from the special counsel investigation . I would not be able to answer that at this moment with any authority. General sessions, you started by telling us that youre the american peoples lawyer. Now, youre not recused from giving us answers on these, youre not comfortable giving us answers on these, but heres the problem that we have. You said when you started your testimony today that there is nothing more important than advancing the rule of law. And when you answer the way you have, it suggests that the rule of law is crumbling at our feet. You took an oath to uphold the constitution. We took an oath to uphold the constitution. And while members of this committee and the majority may choose to ab diddicate this responsibility with regard to very important matters, you cannot with interference with just you told us today in this exchange, what we should all be concerned about is another saturday night massacre if you cant tell us the president shouldnt fire or can fire the special counsel and everyone who works for him. We should be worried. If youre telling us the president may be able to pardon in advance all of those who are being investigated, we should be worried about the pursuit of the rule of law. General sessions, again, we may in this committee the time of the gentleman has expired. The attorney general can respond if he chooses to. Just briefly, one of the things, if you respect the rule of law, is the attorney general should not be giving legal opinions from the seat of his britches. You need to be careful about that and thats what im saying to you today. I do appreciate that, general sessions. We recognize the general from texas, mr. Bowe. If there is a wire tap and information is seized under the surveillance act, and one person is a foreign agent, the other person is an american citizen, is the release of the information regarding who the american citizen is and or the conversation of the american citizen a violation of federal law . I believe it is. And if somebody releases that information maybe factual distinctions, but i think its hypothetical. If someone releases the information of the name of that person or the information contained by that person, that is a federal offense. Unacceptable and could be a federal offense. So has anybody been prosecuted under your regime for doing that, whether its been in the white house or some other Government Agency where we hear about leaks of classified information . Are you prosecuting anybody for that . For release of fisaobtained information . Release of the information of who the american is and or the conversation by the american thats classified information, is your Department Investigating anybody for that . I cannot confirm or deny an existence of an investigation. Are you prosecuting anybody for that . Nobody is under indictment, although weve got at least four indictments this year of leaks of classified information and we will continue to press those cases. All right. Good. Well talk about the foreign Intelligence Surveillance act. Secret courts issuing secret warrants to get information on terrorists overseas. Thats generally the purpose of the fisa law and fisa courts. Do you agree with that . Well, its not a perfect summary, but theres substance to it. Its too short. We know we cant trust the nsa. James clapper testified in front of this committee in 2013 that the nsa was not spying on americans. Then all of a sudden, this guy snow snowden showed up he ought to be prosecuted, in my opinion but we learned americans were being spied upon by the nsa. Part of the Foreign Surveillance act gives them the authority to seize information like emails, texts, conversations between these terrorists overseas to collect information to make sure america is safe. During that process, as you know, incidentally call it incidental information information on americans, who they are and what those conversations may be is also seized. The nsa says that is incidental information. Now, its my understanding the Justice Department is opposed to the usa liberty act which would require that before government goes into that information on americans, whether or not the target, the target is these terrorists. Goes into that information on americans that there has to be a warrant signed by a real judge that states probable cause before that information can be seized. Now, my understanding is the Justice Department under your leadership is opposed to that warrant requirement. Is that correct . That is absolutely correct. So youre a former judge. A wouldbe judge. A wannabe judge, yeah. And a former judge, too. You dont think probable cause and a warrant requirement is required to go into that information that is first of all, the seizure is done by government without a warrant, so its seized already. Before it can be searched, you also dont require or believe that a warrant should be required by any court to go into that information. Well im just asking the same question. The courts have so held. Im not asking that question. I agree with the courts. Not you, congressman, on that. You get lawfully records, documents dai im reclaim, my time. You glee wiagree with the court that, not me. Let me tell you something. It is the responsibility of congress to set the privacy standard for americans. Before the government can go in and see something and then search it on an american citizen thats incidental to the search on the target, governments should get a warrant for that conduct. Thats spying on americans. We know we cant trust the nsa to keep from doing that. Is that data ever, ever destroyed on americans . Or is it kept forever . I believe it has definitely has a limited time span. I think its five years. So americans shouldnt be concerned that information is being collected on them and searched and dont have any sayso about a warrant . Your time is expired. The chair recognizes mr. Gutierrez for five minutes. Before i begin, i think i have a solution that could allow the committee to move on to other Important National matters like gun control and immigration. Your side clearly wants an investigation of Hillary Clinton and our side has been begging to hold hearings and start an investigation of campaigns and improper ties to president putin and the russian government. I would say they eliminated the need for the investigations. I propose we simply go to the president and the former secretary of state and ask them both to resign. Ill go to Hillary Clinton, you can go to donald trump and well tell them both to resign. Then we can move on as a nation from an election that just never seems to end. I did google organizations that Hillary Clinton leads and it came out zero. So im not quite sure what youre going to get her to resign from because she doesnt appear to be in charge of anything. Last time i checked, she got 3 million more votes than donald trump but she lost the election. So why dont we move on and really look at the nation. So, attorney general, i would like to ask you, you said earlier today it was a brilliant campaign, referring to the donald Trump Campaign. Is that true . It was a remarkable thing that overcame a lot of obstacles a remarkable campaign. Now, candidates make promises during campaigns. You think candidates should fulfill the promises they make during campaigns . People make a lot of promises and you subscribe to honor your promises. It was a brilliant campaign. As a member of the cabinet of president trump, do you feel an obligation to fulfill those Campaign Promises . When he asked you to come on, did you think you should fulfill the Campaign Promises . I believe the attorney general should enforce the law first and foremost. I understand enforce the law, but he said youre helping him on the muslim plan, the immigration issue if its lawful, we defend it. If its lawful. But you said it was a remarkable and brilliant campaign. He said, quote, during the second debate, if i win, im going to instruct my attorney general that would be you because he chose you to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation, referring to Hillary Clinton, because there has never been so many lies, so much deception, end quote. And when Hillary Clinton responded, she said, because you would be in jail. Are you going to fulfill that Campaign Promise you mahe made the second debate . He did say he would put her in jail. He said he would have the attorney general set it up. Are you going to keep the Campaign Promise . I will follow the law. Are you going to keep that Campaign Promise . Hes your boss. He hired you. We comply with the law with regard to special prosecutor appointments. Are you going to appoint one as he promised during the campaign . Hes reminded you a couple of times in a few of his tweets that thats what he wants you to do. I will fulfill my duty as attorney general. So the brilliant and remarkable campaign, you love the campaign but youre not going to fulfill his Campaign Promises . I hope you dont in this particular case. Im kind of happy with your answer up to now. So mr. Attorney general, im going to ask you another series of questions, and id like to go back to the beginning of the hearing and get you to answer the following question. Are you aware that you are under oath and that your answers must be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, mr. Attorney general . Im aware of that. I brought this little salt shaker here, and youll forgive me if i put just a little bit of doubt into that answer. And just to remind myself that i might need this. I ask unanimous consent that this article from jones magazine be entered into the record with the headline three times Jeff Sessions made false statements under oath to congress. I ask this because i dont want to hear in a few days or a few weeks that your answers, mr. Attorney general, have changed based on newly uncovered evidence that what you told us before was, in fact, false, misleading or something other than the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I ask you now to consent. That objection will be made part of the record. Thank you. Under oath you said as a surrogate, quote, a time or two for the Trump Campaign, you did not have communication with russians, but in march it was revealed you did. Did you have Campaign Communications with the russians . Because it appears you have had Campaign Communications with the russians, mr. Attorney general. That is id like to respond to that. I thought i had the paper right here. Here it is. Mr. Chairman, if i could take a couple minutes, id like to respond to that. Colleagues i guess former colleagues. Senator franken asked me this question. Okay. Cnn has just published a story, and im telling you about a new story thats just been published. Im not expecting you to know whether or not its true, but cnn just published a story alleging that the Andrea Mitchell<\/a> in washington. During a break in the hearing, weve been playing president trumps comments to the press en route from manila to honolulu. Theyve just landed there, feeding that for us. As you heard, he had a word with president xi and the basketball players, the ucla players who were arrested for shoplifting, on shoplifting charges, are apparently en route back. Then, of course, questions about Jeff Sessions<\/a> today in washington. Press by dem krakts on tocratic committee. Jeff sessions is denying that he ever set it up. Security analyst matt miller. The former chief spokesman for general eric holder. Pete williams, what was your big takeaway of the hearing so far of Jeff Sessions<\/a> . If i had to pick up one thing, andrea, it would simply be this. All these calls for another special counsel to look at how Hillary Clintons<\/a> email issue was handled, how Loretta Lynch<\/a> conducted herself, how there was completion of ea uranium deal. What he basically said to them today is, i have your letter. Well look at it seriously. Weve asked the career people here to look at it but theres a very high bar before we can open another special counsel investigation. I thought he was really trying to tamp down expectations that there was going to be another special counsel open on this any time soon or even at all. And matt miller, from your perspective having been at the Justice Department<\/a>, pretty extraordinary that the president of the United States<\/a> and others in the Republican Party<\/a> would be pressing the attorney general to investigate the defeated opposition candidate on charges, frankly, that we have fact checked and that dont add up. Yeah. It is a completely appropriate thing for the president to have been doing. It would be a lawless action for the administration to take. The letter that Jeff Sessions<\/a> sent last night was a really unusual letter. I should say the department of justice sent to congress. Usually you would get a letter they send to special counsel and say, well look at the issues youve raised and take whatever appropriate action we feel is warranted by the circumstances. They went a bit further by raising the possibility that he might appoint a special counsel. Thats an unusual thing for the attorney general to do. I think the letter was sent to congress but there was one audience Jeff Sessions<\/a> really had in mind, and thats his boss, the president , donald trump. And congressman eric swallow from the committee. Youve come out during this break. Thank you for joining us. What struck you during this hearing . I know there were a lot of questions about prior statements that he had never met with anyone who had met with russians, and that was contradicted by the supplement deal about papadopoulos having met with russia. Good morning, andrea. He started his stotestimony by saying, my story has never changed. Then he went on to say he does recall the meeting in 2012 with George Papadopoulos<\/a>. At least the second time having to Tell Congress<\/a> of what happened with russian contacts occurred. I think we need to get, finally, him to be fully forthcoming to tell us what contacts have the campaign had with russia . What was he aware of . What was discussed with candidate trump and what did he do, you know, to try and stop these contacts . It sounds like he may have actually told papadopoulos that this wasnt a good idea. He recalled that today. But did he tell carter page, who also testified that he told Jeff Sessions<\/a> he was on his way to russia, not to do that, or did he tell anybody else on the campaign . One other point we should just make is that he also said under questioning that he has no reason not to believe the women who have made accusations against roy moore in his home state of alabama. I know you have to go back in. Well talk to you a little later. Thank you very much, congressman, and back to the hearing. Thanks, andrea. This thing with trump and russia, closed quote. General sessions, do you think it would be reasonable for the members of this committee to conclude that the president , by first interfering in one investigation and then interfering in an investigation into himself committed obstruction of justice . I dont believe thats a fair conclusion, and i would but its a matter that i guess would be would rest with the special counsel. And the obstruction of justice being any, among other definitions, the most popular one. In statute any communication that endeavors to impede the dew administration of justice, thats exactly what the president did in both of those cases. And in spite of moving on to the special counsel, you brought up in spite of efforts, bipartisan efforts, to protect the special counsel, mr. Mueller, Republican Leadership<\/a> and this committee have refused to take action to ensure hes protected. Do you believe the president has authority to fire special counsel mueller . Im not able to express an opinion on that at this point. Can he fire members of the special counsels team . Im not able to answer that. General sessions, do you believe that the president should have the authority to be able to block investigations into his own campaign . Investigations have to be conducted by the appropriate Law Enforcement<\/a> offices without fear and favor, without politics or bias. Right. And without fear of being dismissed by the president in order to block that investigation, because again, that would certainly appear to represent obstruction of justice. And when you fail to acknowledge that, it is essentially on the president to go ahead and do that. There are some dimtindictments, there is a guilty plea. Can you tell me, does the president have the power to pardon George Papadopoulos<\/a> . That would be premature for me to comment on that, i believe. Because the president has power to pardon, theres no doubt about that. Right. Does he have the power to pardon Paul Manafort<\/a> and rick gates ahead of a trial and a conviction . Im not able to comment on that. I havent researched that question. I think theres maybe a set of laws. What do you think the set of laws is . I dont know. Does he have a power to pardon michael cain . Could the president today pardon donald trump jr. , among other things, for being in contact with wikileaks regarding these emails . Can he make those pardons today before there is anything further that comes from the special counsel investigation . I would not be able to answer that at this moment with any authority. General sessions, you started by telling us that youre the american peoples lawyer. Now, youre not recused from giving us answers on these, youre not comfortable giving us answers on these, but heres the problem that we have. You said when you started your testimony today that there is nothing more important than advancing the rule of law. And when you answer the way you have, it suggests that the rule of law is crumbling at our feet. You took an oath to uphold the constitution. We took an oath to uphold the constitution. And while members of this committee and the majority may choose to ab diddicate this responsibility with regard to very important matters, you cannot with interference with just you told us today in this exchange, what we should all be concerned about is another saturday night massacre if you cant tell us the president shouldnt fire or can fire the special counsel and everyone who works for him. We should be worried. If youre telling us the president may be able to pardon in advance all of those who are being investigated, we should be worried about the pursuit of the rule of law. General sessions, again, we may in this committee the time of the gentleman has expired. The attorney general can respond if he chooses to. Just briefly, one of the things, if you respect the rule of law, is the attorney general should not be giving legal opinions from the seat of his britches. You need to be careful about that and thats what im saying to you today. I do appreciate that, general sessions. We recognize the general from texas, mr. Bowe. If there is a wire tap and information is seized under the surveillance act, and one person is a foreign agent, the other person is an american citizen, is the release of the information regarding who the american citizen is and or the conversation of the american citizen a violation of federal law . I believe it is. And if somebody releases that information maybe factual distinctions, but i think its hypothetical. If someone releases the information of the name of that person or the information contained by that person, that is a federal offense. Unacceptable and could be a federal offense. So has anybody been prosecuted under your regime for doing that, whether its been in the white house or some other Government Agency<\/a> where we hear about leaks of classified information . Are you prosecuting anybody for that . For release of fisaobtained information . Release of the information of who the american is and or the conversation by the american thats classified information, is your Department Investigating<\/a> anybody for that . I cannot confirm or deny an existence of an investigation. Are you prosecuting anybody for that . Nobody is under indictment, although weve got at least four indictments this year of leaks of classified information and we will continue to press those cases. All right. Good. Well talk about the foreign Intelligence Surveillance<\/a> act. Secret courts issuing secret warrants to get information on terrorists overseas. Thats generally the purpose of the fisa law and fisa courts. Do you agree with that . Well, its not a perfect summary, but theres substance to it. Its too short. We know we cant trust the nsa. James clapper testified in front of this committee in 2013 that the nsa was not spying on americans. Then all of a sudden, this guy snow snowden showed up he ought to be prosecuted, in my opinion but we learned americans were being spied upon by the nsa. Part of the Foreign Surveillance<\/a> act gives them the authority to seize information like emails, texts, conversations between these terrorists overseas to collect information to make sure america is safe. During that process, as you know, incidentally call it incidental information information on americans, who they are and what those conversations may be is also seized. The nsa says that is incidental information. Now, its my understanding the Justice Department<\/a> is opposed to the usa liberty act which would require that before government goes into that information on americans, whether or not the target, the target is these terrorists. Goes into that information on americans that there has to be a warrant signed by a real judge that states probable cause before that information can be seized. Now, my understanding is the Justice Department<\/a> under your leadership is opposed to that warrant requirement. Is that correct . That is absolutely correct. So youre a former judge. A wouldbe judge. A wannabe judge, yeah. And a former judge, too. You dont think probable cause and a warrant requirement is required to go into that information that is first of all, the seizure is done by government without a warrant, so its seized already. Before it can be searched, you also dont require or believe that a warrant should be required by any court to go into that information. Well im just asking the same question. The courts have so held. Im not asking that question. I agree with the courts. Not you, congressman, on that. You get lawfully records, documents dai im reclaim, my time. You glee wiagree with the court that, not me. Let me tell you something. It is the responsibility of congress to set the privacy standard for americans. Before the government can go in and see something and then search it on an american citizen thats incidental to the search on the target, governments should get a warrant for that conduct. Thats spying on americans. We know we cant trust the nsa to keep from doing that. Is that data ever, ever destroyed on americans . Or is it kept forever . I believe it has definitely has a limited time span. I think its five years. So americans shouldnt be concerned that information is being collected on them and searched and dont have any sayso about a warrant . Your time is expired. The chair recognizes mr. Gutierrez for five minutes. Before i begin, i think i have a solution that could allow the committee to move on to other Important National<\/a> matters like gun control and immigration. Your side clearly wants an investigation of Hillary Clinton<\/a> and our side has been begging to hold hearings and start an investigation of campaigns and improper ties to president putin and the russian government. I would say they eliminated the need for the investigations. I propose we simply go to the president and the former secretary of state and ask them both to resign. Ill go to Hillary Clinton<\/a>, you can go to donald trump and well tell them both to resign. Then we can move on as a nation from an election that just never seems to end. I did google organizations that Hillary Clinton<\/a> leads and it came out zero. So im not quite sure what youre going to get her to resign from because she doesnt appear to be in charge of anything. Last time i checked, she got 3 million more votes than donald trump but she lost the election. So why dont we move on and really look at the nation. So, attorney general, i would like to ask you, you said earlier today it was a brilliant campaign, referring to the donald Trump Campaign<\/a>. Is that true . It was a remarkable thing that overcame a lot of obstacles a remarkable campaign. Now, candidates make promises during campaigns. You think candidates should fulfill the promises they make during campaigns . People make a lot of promises and you subscribe to honor your promises. It was a brilliant campaign. As a member of the cabinet of president trump, do you feel an obligation to fulfill those Campaign Promises<\/a> . When he asked you to come on, did you think you should fulfill the Campaign Promises<\/a> . I believe the attorney general should enforce the law first and foremost. I understand enforce the law, but he said youre helping him on the muslim plan, the immigration issue if its lawful, we defend it. If its lawful. But you said it was a remarkable and brilliant campaign. He said, quote, during the second debate, if i win, im going to instruct my attorney general that would be you because he chose you to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation, referring to Hillary Clinton<\/a>, because there has never been so many lies, so much deception, end quote. And when Hillary Clinton<\/a> responded, she said, because you would be in jail. Are you going to fulfill that Campaign Promise<\/a> you mahe made the second debate . He did say he would put her in jail. He said he would have the attorney general set it up. Are you going to keep the Campaign Promise<\/a> . I will follow the law. Are you going to keep that Campaign Promise<\/a> . Hes your boss. He hired you. We comply with the law with regard to special prosecutor appointments. Are you going to appoint one as he promised during the campaign . Hes reminded you a couple of times in a few of his tweets that thats what he wants you to do. I will fulfill my duty as attorney general. So the brilliant and remarkable campaign, you love the campaign but youre not going to fulfill his Campaign Promises<\/a> . I hope you dont in this particular case. Im kind of happy with your answer up to now. So mr. Attorney general, im going to ask you another series of questions, and id like to go back to the beginning of the hearing and get you to answer the following question. Are you aware that you are under oath and that your answers must be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, mr. Attorney general . Im aware of that. I brought this little salt shaker here, and youll forgive me if i put just a little bit of doubt into that answer. And just to remind myself that i might need this. I ask unanimous consent that this article from jones magazine be entered into the record with the headline three times Jeff Sessions<\/a> made false statements under oath to congress. I ask this because i dont want to hear in a few days or a few weeks that your answers, mr. Attorney general, have changed based on newly uncovered evidence that what you told us before was, in fact, false, misleading or something other than the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I ask you now to consent. That objection will be made part of the record. Thank you. Under oath you said as a surrogate, quote, a time or two for the Trump Campaign<\/a>, you did not have communication with russians, but in march it was revealed you did. Did you have Campaign Communications<\/a> with the russians . Because it appears you have had Campaign Communications<\/a> with the russians, mr. Attorney general. That is id like to respond to that. I thought i had the paper right here. Here it is. Mr. Chairman, if i could take a couple minutes, id like to respond to that. Colleagues i guess former colleagues. Senator franken asked me this question. Okay. Cnn has just published a story, and im telling you about a new story thats just been published. Im not expecting you to know whether or not its true, but cnn just published a story alleging that the Intelligence Community<\/a> of the United States<\/a> of america, the Intelligence Community<\/a> provided documents to the president elect last week that included information that, quote, russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and Financial Information<\/a> about mr. Trump, closed quote. These documents also allegedly say, quote, there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between trumps surrogates and int intermediaries for the russian government, closed quote. Im telling you this is all coming out so you know, but if its true its obviously extremely serious, and if there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump Campaign<\/a> communicated with the russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do . I was taken aback by this. I had never heard this happened while i was testifying, i suppose. And i said, senator franken, i am not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate a time or two in the campaign and i did not have communications with the russians and im unable to comment on it. And youre not going to correct that today. My answer was responsive to his charge about a continuing do you want to clear it or correct it today for us . The time has expired. The attorney general can answer the question, but were moving on. I appreciate my opportunity to share it. My focus was on responding to the concern that i as a surrogate was participating in a continuing series of meetings with intermediaries for the russian government. And i certainly didnt mean i had never met a russian in the history of my life. So i didnt think it was responsive, and my response was was, according to the way i heard the question, honestly i could give it at the time. I hope you evaluate me fairly about that. The chair recognizes the senator from maryland for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chair. Im going to ask you some questions because i am the chairman of the regulatory foreign antitrust judiciary. The antitrust is an issue now surfacing more so than it ever has in the past. The Justice Department<\/a>s role is very critical in antitrust issues to determine whether there is an antitrust violation. I understand that the Justice Department<\/a>s position on the at t merger will require divestment of some assets. Behavioral conditions have been used in vertical mergers since they pose a lesser danger to competition than horizontal mergers. Is the Structural Condition<\/a> in vertical mergers a policy for d. O. J at this point . Antitrust policy is important. Ive never been an expert at it. It was one subcommittee of the judiciary i never chose to be a part of. But we have an experienced team in the department of justice. We do try to handle each case professionally. We have a good chief now of the antitrust division, and im not able to announce any new policies at this time, congressman. Will there be a discussion concerning vertical and horizontal mergers when it comes to the socalled term behavior conditions where two companies that merge in may have to divest . Could there be future discussion about when this behavioral condition could be implemented . Well, the vertical horizontal issue is something that has always been part of the discussion. I dont think its dispositive of any final decision, but im really not able at this time to comment on anything that would be part of an ongoing matter. I understand. I appreciate you giving me an opportunity to not attempt to answer that. Im going to switch to human trafficking. When i was a u. S. Attorney, we handled some very heartbreaking and very severe situations concerning human trafficking. I know that you understand, like i understand, the challenges involved there. What can you tell me what the d. O. J. Has done in upping the prosecutions and the investigations for antitrafficking . We believe strongly that we can do even more. Its been a priority for a number of years. I was recently in the minnesota United States<\/a> attorneys office. They had a Major International<\/a> case and i was surprised how much money was involved. Almost as much as drug dealers may make. We have a recent report of our people meeting with the Child Exploitation<\/a> group. My associate attorney general, number 3, rachel brand, is very interested in this. Ive empowered her to be engaged in our efforts in this regard, and shes enthusiastically responding to that. If i may make a suggestion as well, several years ago we in the middle district of pennsylvania prosecuted one of the biggest sex trafficking cases on the east coast. Obviously and for the most part involving women and very young girls. We had a good conviction. These people went away for 30 or 40 years. But one of the areas that we have to help more with the victims is the protection side of things. Of course, during the investigation and during the trial, but subsequent to the convictions that these people these women and children arent forgotten, and there are protections there to keep them from anybody else attempting to do whats been done in the past, and i thank you so very much for your service to us, and i yield back. Thank you. Thank you for your service. The chair recognizes the gentlem gentlewoman from california, ms. Bass. Thank you, mr. Chair. The fbi ran a Counterintelligence Program<\/a> called quantel pro run by president edgar hoover. It recognized this was an abuse of its surveillance power in a manner to suppress improvement. I would like to ask mr. Chair unanimous consent to enter this report into the record, which is black identity extremists likely motivated to target Law Enforcement<\/a> officers. I believe earlier you said you were not familiar with the report, is that correct . Well, i havent read it. I know some of the alleged targeting of officers by certain groups. Ill ask you about that in a minute. So you are somewhat familiar with it. Who had the power in your department to order a report like this . Im not sure how that report got ordered. I dont believe i explicit many approved or directed it. You havent necessarily read the report, but you are familiar with the term black identity extremist extremists . I think so, yes. Can you tell me what that term means to you . Do you believe there is a movement of africanamericans that identify themselves as black identity extremists, and what does that movement do . I would be anxious to see the conclusions of that report, but i am aware that there are groups that do have an extraordinary commitment to their racial identity and some have transformed themselves even into violent activists. Are you aware of White Organization<\/a>s that do this as well . Given the White Supremacy<\/a> as well, documented Research Movement<\/a> like the neonazi, ku klux klan, et cetera . Yes. But its not coming to me at this moment. Not coming to you . Certainly a group such as the u ku klux klan yes, and there are white identities as well. Are you aware of a group called the sovereign citizens . Ive heard of that group, yes. I believe the sovereign citizens is primarily a White Organization<\/a> that has absolutely targeted Police Officers<\/a> and killed Police Officers<\/a>. Youre not aware of that . Im not aware of all their crimes, but i know they are a group thats known to have violent tendencies. Could you name an africanamerican organization that have committed violent acts against Police Officers<\/a> . Could you name one today . In this report they name organizations from 30, 40 years ago, but can you name one from today that has targeted Police Officers<\/a> in a violent manner . I believe i could, but i would want to confirm that and submit it to you in writing, but i believe we had, within the last year or so, four Police Officers<\/a> killed by a group that some have described as extremists. So what has happened is there have been a couple instances in which africanamericans did kill Police Officers<\/a> who were not associated with a black organization. And so one, for example, in b baton rouge, was associated with citizens that were part of the group. By the way, would you consider black lives matter a black identity Extremist Group<\/a> . Im not able to comment on that. I have not so declared it. So you should know that a lot of activists around the country are very concerned that were getting ready to repeat a very sad chapter of our history where people who are rightfully protesting what they consider to be an injustice in their community, which is their relationship with Police Officers<\/a>, are now being targeted and labeled as extremists and see are going through periods of surveillance and harassment. I would like to know what is your Department Going<\/a> to do to protect the rights of average citizens to protest if they have a concern about Police Officers<\/a> . This department will not unlawfully target people. So if thats the case, then, i would ask that you review this report, black indemnity extremists likely to target Police Officers<\/a> because i personally dont believe the organization exists. The organizations in this report are organizations from decades ago. So i would like to know what will you do to essentially roll back what is listed in this report . Because its not accurate. Sir . We will look at the report. I actually would be interested in reading it. But they usually do an excellent job, objective and fair, on those kinds of reports. Time of the gentlewoman has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from south carolina, mr. Gowdy, for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman, thank you, mr. Attorney general. I want to cover a couple areas, but i want to start with something thats very important to me. I think its important to all people in this country of good conscience, irrespective of their political ideation, and that is the department of justice. For myself, december 2015 and 2016 have been challenging for the department of justice. There is a grand jury, there is a petit jury, there is a trial judge, there are posttrial motions, there are Appellate Court<\/a>s, there are courts of habeas corpus. The decision not to fire someone does not carry with it labors of review. In some instances its important to understand why Law Enforcement<\/a> did something and why prosecute ors did not do something. Im not part of the decision not to litigate Hillary Clinton<\/a>. Im not interested in litigating it. I am, however, interested in listing 2016 and 2017 to the department of justice. There was a time when my colleagues on the other side of the aisle remember interested and want questions of her as well. It was absurd then and its aub su absurd now, but what isnt absurd is when my colleagues ask why did you decide to press one appropriation and not another . Why did you decide to look at one side of the department, which is hard for the fbi to have a decision maker. Just like they wanted to know, mr. Comey, did you reach decisions before the end of the investigation . Did you make decisions before you decided to question the witnesses . These questions to me go to the core of whether or not the government can be respected aside from politics. I guess certain departments are inherently political, but the department of justice should not be. I tell you that up front, that chairman good are going to be telling the stories. There is a love for the department and a love for the concept of blind justice who doesnt care if its an evennumbered year or an oddnumbered year. To the extent there were decisions made. They need to follow it up with another but also with respect to documents so congress can better understand the decisions that were made and not made and restore some modicum of trust that all people, whether they agreed with the decisions or not, at least understand why they were made. Mr. Conyers asked you whether or not it was appropriate for the president to could i respond briefly to that . Yes, sir. Youre familiar with the inspector general. Im meeting with him shortly. They make public their investigations. Several matters of the fbi are by the full, intensive view of the fbi, and maybe under more disclosure, you can inquire as to how thats ongoing. But im not able to give you the details at this time. Thats a serious matter. Its in my response to the chairman of yesterday. I didnt intend to ask you to respond to it because youre right, mr. Horowitz needs to answer it, in fact, i meet with him later this afternoon. But youre right, he will ask whether mr. Yerz conyers is appropriate in asking that. It wasnt appropriate in the Ongoing Investigation<\/a> of Hillary Clintons<\/a> server. It is never appropriate for a president to tell the department of justice for the outcome it has reached. I just wish my friends on the other side had the same outrage when president obama did it as they do now. This will be my last question to you. Youre nominated by a president. Youre approved by a senate, but yet you reached for a virtue. You worked for a blind if. How did people restore confidence in the department of justice when it seems like different rules apply depending on who is in power . The time of the gentleman has expired. The attorney general is permitted to answer. Its a good question and an important question. We intend to do our work according to the established principles of the department of justice. We will not be infected by politics or bias. We will make only decisions we believe are right and just. And were not going to use the department to unlawfully advance a political agenda. Were going to enforce the laws of this country effectively as congress has passed them, and i am determined that when the years go by that people will say this department of justice did not crumble. It stayed firm and true to the great principles that i was taught in the 15 years i served in the department of justice, two and a half as an assistant, 12 as United States<\/a> attorney and looking up to the attorney general is somehow so far removed for me that it was beyond recognition. But now im in that position. I think i understand the gravity of it. I think i understand the importance of responding to your question and well do our best. Thank you. The chair recognizes the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Richmond, for five minutes. Mr. General, i have the honor of serving as chair of the congressional black caucus. You were not there, but im sure you are aware, and if youre not aware im telling on myself, that i testified against your nomination. And i did so because i was afraid that we would go back to a time where discrimination was rampant and that diversity was not appreciated and that the right to vote for minorities and africanamericans would be further more obstacles would be set up. And i listened to your Opening Statement<\/a> and i listened to your remarks since then, and you talked about voter i. D. The vicci case, which in texas ruled that a texas voter identification law had discriminatory portions against africanamericans. The District Court<\/a> ruled that way, the Appellate Court<\/a> affirmed that ruling, and then you withdrew from the case after two courts ruled that it was discriminatory. How does that mesh and then argued on the side of texas, how does that mesh to make sure that africanamericans had unfettered access to the voting polls . Congressman, the way that happened was that texas had passed a voter i. D. Law that the courts did not approve but struck down. Election was coming up, i believe, and the Court Approved<\/a> a voter i. D. Procedure that they approved for that election, and the Texas Legislature<\/a> then repealed its previous law that had been found to be unconstitutional or improper and had been approved. We felt a proper voter i. D. Law is constitutional and we believe that one is constitutional. And referring to the department of justice, in terms of placing judges for the bench, out of all the judges that have been nominated, i think 91 have been white males. Does that foster diversity . Im not aware of the numbers, but we should look for quality candidates and i think diversity is a matter that has significance. Well, the National Bar Association<\/a> could recommend and has recommended a number of africanamerican and other minority attorneys who are qualified, so let me just ask you, and if you dont know the answer to these, let me know youll get me the information. How many africanamericans do you have on your senior staff . I do not have a senior staff member at this time thats an africanamerican. In alabama, i participated in recommending an africanamerican judge and ive had africanamerican judges before were talking about this administration, though. Of all of the u. S. Attorneys that have been nominated or confirmed, how many have been africanamerican . One in alabama that i knew and i believe hes been confirmed. Of all the fbi agents nominated around the country, how many are africanamerican . I do not know. Would you get that for me. Heres the gist whof what im saying. For a lot of people who objectively look from the back, like i do and many people where i live, the question is whether were going towards inclusion and diversity or whether were going back. So i applaud the president for his approach to the Opioid Epidemic<\/a> which everyone in this room is concerned about. Were losing over 100 people a day. But your decision to reverse the Crime Division<\/a> goes back to the cuff crack on crime, and i believe you said you want our attorneys to approve the big sentences, but in the opioid crisis, were treating it as a mental crisis. Is it as opposed to who the Opioid Epidemic<\/a> is affecting . The question is how does an outside observer reconcile how we treated crack which led to mass incarceration which now as an epidemic were losing thousands and thousands of people a year, and were treating it with hugs and kisses and treatment as opposed to tough on crime, lock em up. How do i reconcile that and not conclude that the only difference is race and income . Well, i would say that the federal court focuses on serious offenders, not users. We talk about International Drug<\/a> cartels, we talk about distribution networks, serious gangs, ms13. We focus aggressively on that, but the ps nrn reinvigorated th crime problem focuses more and ive been convinced of this on the leading criminals in a neighborhood. And the federal government will not seek mass incarceration so much as we will be focusing on identifying the people who really are the driving force. Maybe sucking other young people into crime that would never have been brought in there if they hadnt had this leadership drive. Its worked in new york, its worked in other agencies, and i think it will work here, and congressman, i would note that the average federal senates in the last three or four years has dropped 19 , and the federal prison population is down 14 . While we are beginning to see a spike in homicides, the likes of which we havent seen since the 1960s. The time of the gentleman has expired. The chairman recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Tharenfold, for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chair. Before i got to congress, i sometimes would dive into the ne nerdy end of things. The question of servers is back in the news recently. My question is can you tell us if anybody at the federal Law Enforcement<\/a> agencies have been able to take a look and examine that server to determine if someone hacked it, if it was the russians or anybody else . You said it was the dnc . The dnc. Im not able to comment on that. Its an Ongoing Investigation<\/a>. I appreciate that. We also talked a little today about the fisa court and 702 and surveillance. One of the things i dont think has been completely answered is why does the d. O. J. Think its so problematic to require a warrant from the fisa court or any court before accessing or disseminating the contents of communications that arent related to foreign intelligence that deal with american citizens . Well, the way maybe i should explain this. When you have a warrant or you have a surveillance on a foreign individual that may be connected to terrorism or any foreign individual, you listen to who they talk to. If they call an american and you have a terrorist on the phone in syria, you want to know who that american is, right . But the usa liberty act includes exceptions for emergencies and individuals who are recently believed to be engaged in International Terrorism<\/a> or furthering their goals. Well, im not sure there is an exception for dealing with emergencies and people believed to be terrorists. All right. Let me just say this. So if we get a lawful intercept from a federal judge of mafia p new york, he is not likely to be talking to many people not in the United States<\/a> and were listening to the conversations, the people he talks to and the american citizens. And if they talk about a crime, you can use that evidence against them. You dont have to have a separate warrant to access it. Were talking about in the 702 con i hope youll think through me, with me now. So you lawfully obtain this information. You could do it by hand in the old days. Now the computers do much of the work for us. So you know the names of the people that may be involved in this activity. And you can access those records just like you can access bank reports that youve got. But if you come up in any other way, youd have to get a warrant to get that wiretap . Well, the problem with the warrant is lets say this. Lets say you have information from an airport that somebody wants to learn to fly a plane but does not want to learn how to land the plane. As we saw one time. And you go to the court in a matter of hours. That does not give probable cause to search tap that persons phone. Ive got a couple other questions. I appreciate okay, im sorry. Your answer on it. I do want to talk in the last congress we passed and enacted into law the stop advertising victims of exploitation act of the save act. This legislation makes a criminal offense to advertise for commercial sex acts. Has the doj used this provision to prosecute online sex traffickers or websites they use and if not why not. Im not sure about that, congressman. Ill have to maybe can get back to you on that. I would appreciate that. Thank you. All right, ive got a couple more here. I want to hit. But im going to take a step back and look at the big picture. Im a lawyer. I went to law school. Ive always considered the attorney general to be the peoples attorney. And i feel like over the past few years under previous attorney generals, the attorney generals been more the president s attorney rather than the peoples attorney. Can you tell me what you are doing in office to restore the confidence in the american people, both in the office of the attorney general and agencies like the fbi which most people used to have a very high respect for but i believe that level of respect and trust has dropped dramatically in recent times. These are serious questions. I believe as you get to know the fbi director chris ray, the new director, youre going to you will find him to be a man of high intelligence, great integrity, great character and great capability. Clearly one of the nations great lawyers on private practice but many years in the department of justice as a prosecutor working with the fbi agents. Thats one thing weve got, i can tell you, i have great confidence in him. My deputy 27 years a professional that i chose to be my primary deputy, my associate attorney general likewise is a woman of the highest character and academic excellent and experience in the department. And we are setting a tone of professionalism every day in what we do. So i think thats something we need to do. Theres some matters that do need to be completed. Inspector general is doing investigations of some significance as in my letter. I believe you received a copy involving the fbi and the allegations that are there. We intend to make sure that no agency of the government, not just the fbi, is not following the kind of disciplines and practices they should follow. So i guess i would say to you watch what we do. Were not going to be driven by politics. Were going to try to do the right thing. And i believe that time will show that to be true. I see my time has expired. The chair recognizes the gentleman from new york mr. Jeffries for five minutes. Mr. Sessions, i have a copy of your testimony in october. You stated under oath i dont recall in some form or fashion 29 times, is that correct . I have no idea. I have a copy of the transcript of your testimony before the Senate Intelligence<\/a> committee in june. You stated under oath i dont recall in some form or fashion approximately 36 times. Is that correct . I dont know. In your testimony today, you have stated i dont recall at least 20 times, is that fair to say . I have no idea. Now, on october 4th, 2016, during a tv interview with lou dobbs, you criticized Hillary Clinton<\/a> for telling fbi investigators i cant remember approximately 35 times. You also stated during that lou dobbs interview that the intentional failure to remember can constitute perjury. Mr. Attorney general, do you still believe that the intentional failure to remember can constitute a criminal act . If its an act to deceive, yes. Okay. Now, you testified in january that you had no contact with russian operatives during the Trump Campaign<\/a>. Earlier today, you testified that your story has, quote, never changed. Is that correct . That was your testimony earlier today, that your story has never changed, correct . I believe thats fair to say. Okay, we we might weve added things that i did not recall at the time right my statement at the time was my best recollection of the circumstances and i as things are brought up my time, i understand, sir. All right. You now acknowledge meeting with ambassador kislyak during the Republican National<\/a> convention, correct . I remember i made a speech. He came up to me afterwards. I was standing in front of a Speaker Program<\/a> and did chat with him okay, thank you a meeting, it was just an encounter at that time. Okay, and you also met with the ambassador in september of 2016 in your office as youve acknowledged, correct . Yes, for an appointment. I had two senior staffers, both full colonels in the United States<\/a> army, retired, in the meeting with me now, you testified im sorry. You testified in june before the Senate Intelligence<\/a> committee that you had not heard even a whisper about possible russian involvement in the Trump Campaign<\/a>. Yet we understand that you attended this march 31st meeting with George Papadopoulos<\/a>, talked about potential communications with russian operatives. But also according to your Third Quarter<\/a> 2016 fcc filing, you hosted a Trump Campaign<\/a> dinner meeting on june 30th 2016 at the capitol hill, is that right . Thats correct, i believe. And your Senate Reelection<\/a> Campaign Paid<\/a> for that meeting, is that right . I think ma mthat may be so. Carter page and papadopoulos both attended that june 30th meeting, correct . That has been reported. At that meeting, carter page told you that he was going to moscow in a few days, is that right . Yes. Okay. And he thank you, thank you he said it was a brief meeting as he was walking out the door. I dont recall that conversation, but im not able to dispute it understood. Reclaiming my time, ive got limited Time Available<\/a> that is not does that establish a some sort of improper contact i think you understand russians i think you understand hes not russian either you understand, sir, i get to ask the questions, you provide the answers, in this capacity, youre no longer in the United States<\/a> senate. You voted in 1999 to remove bill clinton from office on charges of perjury, correct . That is correct. And in connection other charges, ive already simple question impeachment, yes. I understand. Remove him, actually, impeachment, the house. In connection to that vote, you gave this speech on the senate floor on february 29th, 1999, and in it you acknowledged that while serving as u. S. Attorney, you once prosecuted a young Police Officer<\/a> who lied in a deposition. And in that speech, you decided to prosecute that young Police Officer<\/a> even though he corrected his testimony. You testified under oath before the Senate Judiciary<\/a> committee in january. You subsequently corrected that testimony in a march 6th written submission and have been forced repeatedly to come back to the senate and now the house to clarify. When explaining your vote on the senate floor to remove bill clinton from office, you stated that you refused to hold a president accountable to a different standard than the young Police Officer<\/a> who you prosecuted. Let me be clear. The attorney general of the United States<\/a> of america should not be held to a different standard than the young Police Officer<\/a> whose life you ruined by prosecuting him for perjury. I yield back. The gentleman may respond if he chooses to. Mr. Jeffries, nobody, nobody, not you or anyone else, should be prosecuted, not me or accused of perjury for answering the question the way i did in this hearing. Ive always tried to answer the questions fairly and accurately. But to ask, did you ever do something, you ever meet with russians and deal with the campaign. Youre saying mr. Carter page, who left that meeting, according to the press reports and all and i guess his deposition or interview has been reported as saying im going to russia. I made no response to him. Didnt acknowledge it. 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