Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., blasted Attorney General Jeff Sessions for not previously acknowledging his contacts with the Russian ambassador and said that it is “clear beyond a shadow of doubt” that Sessions cannot “possibly” lead an investigation into Russian interference in our election.
“With these revelations, it would be of Alice and Wonderland quality, if this administration were to sanction him to investigate himself,” Schumer told reporters Thursday morning. “A recusal should have been given, but this goes beyond that.”
While Schumer said it would be “better for the country if [Sessions] resigns,” he said he wants to focus on getting “a real investigation going” about Russian ties to the Trump administration or his campaign.
Schumer insisted that the Justice Department appoint a special prosecutor “given that Sessions’ impartiality is compromised.”
“This has to be above reproach – there has been allegation after allegation … and if the administration has nothing to hide, they won’t object,” he said.
When reporters pressed him on whether ambassadors regularly meet with senators, Schumer acknowledged that “there’s nothing inappropriate” about a senator meeting with the Russia ambassador.
But he argued that Sessions had said he didn’t remember meeting with the ambassador, something Schumer implied is hard to imagine not recalling.
“It was obvious from everything that was swirling about that that this question would come up” in his confirmation hearings, Schumer said. “You wonder about [Sessions saying], ‘I don’t remember.'”
During his confirmation hearings in January, Sessions denied any contact with Russian officials during the campaign. Since evidence of Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee has surfaced, Democrats have called for investigations into the extent of it and whether there was any involvement from Trump campaign officials or his associates.
National security adviser Mike Flynn resigned after just weeks on the job after evidence surfaced that he had talked to the Russian ambassador about U.S. sanctions in December. Democrats and some Republicans then said thorough investigations were necessary to scrutinize any ties between the Russians and the Trump administration and campaign.
The White House has denied that there were any improper ties to or contacts with Russia
