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Wyden Fires Up Sessions During Contentious Exchange

Screen grab from CNBC.com

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden riled an otherwise unflappable Jeff Sessions today. 

During the Attorney General’s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Wyden brought up former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired by Trump last month based on Session’s recommendation. 

Sessions had previously recused himself from the FBI’s probe into alleged collusion between Donald Trump and Russia. 

In a testy exchange, Wyden plied Sessions on Comey’s recent testimony on the matter. 

Wyden:  "Mr. Comey said that there were matters with respect to the recusal that were “problematic” and he couldn’t talk about them. What are they?"

Sessions:  "I…that….why don’t you tell me?  They are none, Senator Wyden.  There are none.  I can tell you that for absolute certainty." 

Wyden:  "We can…we…"

Sessions:  "You tell…this is a secret innuendo being leaked out there ‘bout me, and I don’t appreciate it.  And I tried to give my best and truthful answers to any committee I’ve appeared before, and it’s…really, ah…people are suggesting through innuendo that I have been not honest about matters, and I’ve tried to be honest.” 

Wyden plied Sessions on whether his signing a letter recommending Comey’s firing violated his recusal.  Sessions denied that it did.  Wyden said that answer didn’t “Pass the smell test”. 

WEB EXTRA: Hear the entirety of Senator Wyden's questions for Attorney General Sessions:

061317_Wyden_Sessions.mp3

Copyright 2017, KLCC. 

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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