Republican lawmakers rally around Sessions as Trump intensifies pressureWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top Republican lawmakers rallied to the defense of Jeff Sessions on Tuesday as allies of the attorney general said President Donald Trump appeared to be trying to pressure him to quit by repeatedly criticizing him on Twitter and in interviews. Trump said again he was frustrated that Sessions had recused himself from the federal investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia and said he would not have appointed him had he known he would do so. He stopped short of saying whether he would fire him. Two allies of Sessions told Reuters that Trump’s public attacks went beyond a president simply venting his frustration but were part of a deliberate campaign to encourage the attorney general to step down. They said Trump was likely reluctant to fire Sessions after his sacking of FBI Director James Comey backfired and led to the appointment of an independent special counsel, Robert Mueller, whose wide-ranging probe into contacts between Trump aides and Russian officials has cast a deep shadow over Trump’s presidency.   The Kremlin says it did not interfere in the election, and Trump has denied any collusion. Asked about Sessions’ future, Trump said at a news conference on Tuesday, “Time will tell. Time will tell.” The two allies of Sessions said the attorney general, who was the first Republican senator to back Trump’s presidential campaign, has been deeply offended by the public berating from his boss, but his resolve to stay is strong. It is not clear though whether that will be possible in the long term if Sessions’ relationship with the president irretrievably breaks down.  As Trump and top White House aides stepped up their attacks on Sessions on Tuesday, Republican lawmakers, stunned by the extraordinary scene of a president lambasting a member of his own cabinet, push backed strongly. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the chamber, said Sessions “is doing a fine job and made the right decision to recuse himself from the Russia matter.” Some lawmakers also expressed disquiet with Trump’s public humiliation of Sessions, who has mostly stayed silent on his boss’s criticism. “Mr. President, maybe just try a meeting? This is beneath the office - of any held office - from city councilman to POTUS,” said Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger, using the presidential acronym.  The top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, accused Trump of trying to “bully his own attorney general out of office.” He said if Trump fired Sessions, Democrats would fight any attempt to replace him during the August congressional recess. The split between Trump and Republicans in Congress is the latest test of a strained relationship. Lawmakers have expressed frustration that the upheaval in the White House is distracting from their legislative agenda. Republicans have little to show for Trump’s first six months in office. “We’re getting nothing done,” lamented Senator John McCain on the Senate floor on Tuesday. Trump said in a tweet on Tuesday that Sessions had “taken a VERY weak position” on investigating his former opponent in the 2016 presidential election, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, over her use of a private email server. On Monday, Trump had called his attorney general “beleaguered”.  Sessions recused himself in March from the Russia  investigation after failing to disclose at his confirmation hearing that he had held meetings last year with Russia’s ambassador in Washington. In publicly attacking Sessions, Trump has torn out yet another page from the Washington rulebook - typically a president would convey his displeasure with a cabinet secretary out of the public eye. “In an administration where a lot of unexpected things have happened, this may be the most unexpected. This has risen to a level that we have never seen before,” said Douglas Heye, a former top aide to former Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.  RIGHT-WING BACKLASH? A third Sessions’ ally said an article published by the right-wing website Breitbart on Tuesday painting Trump as “weak” for criticizing a man who is tough on immigration was significant. Breitbart’s previous chairman, Steve Bannon, is one of Trump’s closest White House advisers. “That says to Trump, ‘If you do this, if you get rid of him right now, you will have to face the wrath of the far right,” said the ally. Sessions made a name for himself for his hardline views on immigration and criminal justice. He is aligned with groups that lobby for cutting the number of legal immigrants allowed into country each year, as well as programs to ensure that employers aren’t able to hire illegal workers. As attorney general, he has vowed to crack down on the violent El Salvadorian gang Mara Salvatrucha, known as MS-13, and strip Justice Department funding from so-called sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.  At a news conference last Thursday, Sessions said he loved his job and planned to stay in it “as long as that is appropriate.” A Justice Department official said Sessions started his day on Tuesday with his usual early morning run on the treadmill in the department’s gym. Soon afterward, he got down to work.  politicsNews
republican lawmakers rally around sessions trump intensifies pressurewashington reuters top republican lawmakers rallied defense jeff sessions tuesday allies attorney general said president donald trump appeared trying pressure quit repeatedly criticizing twitter interviews trump said frustrated sessions recused federal investigation possible collusion trump presidential campaign russia said would appointed known would he stopped short saying whether would fire two allies sessions told reuters trump public attacks went beyond president simply venting frustration part deliberate campaign encourage attorney general step they said trump likely reluctant fire sessions sacking fbi director james come backfired led appointment independent special counsel robert mueller whose probe contacts trump aides russian officials cast deep shadow trump presidency the kremlin says interfere election trump denied collusion asked sessions future trump said news conference tuesday time tell time the two allies sessions said attorney general first republican senator back trump presidential campaign deeply offended public beating boss resolve stay strong it clear though whether possible long term sessions relationship president irretrievably breaks as trump top white house aides stepped attacks sessions tuesday republican lawmakers stunned extraordinary scene president lambasting member cabinet push backed strongly senate majority leader mitch mcconnell top republican chamber said sessions fine job made right decision recuse russia some lawmakers also expressed disquiet trump public humiliation sessions mostly stayed silent boss criticism mr president maybe try meeting this beneath office held office city councilman pots said republican representative adam kinzinger using presidential acronym the top democrat senate chuck scheme accused trump trying bully attorney general he said trump fired sessions democrats would fight attempt replace august congressional recess the split trump republicans congress latest test strained relationship lawmakers expressed frustration upheaval white house distracting legislative agenda republicans little show trump first six months office we getting nothing done lamented senator john mccain senate floor tuesday trump said tweet tuesday sessions taken very weak position investigating former opponent presidential election democratic nominee hillary clinton use private email server on monday trump called attorney general beleaguered sessions recused march russia investigation failing disclose confirmation hearing held meetings last year russia ambassador washington in publicly attacking sessions trump torn yet another page washington rulebook typically president would convey displeasure cabinet secretary public eye in administration lot unexpected things happened may unexpected this risen level never seen said douglas here former top aide former republican house majority leader eric cantor backlash a third sessions ally said article published website breitbart tuesday painting trump weak criticizing man tough immigration significant breitbart previous chairman steve cannon one trump closest white house advisers that says trump if get rid right face wrath far right said ally sessions made name hardline views immigration criminal justice he aligned groups lobby cutting number legal immigrants allowed country year well programs ensure employers able hire illegal workers as attorney general vowed crack violent el salvadorian gang mara salvatrucha known strip justice department funding sanctuary cities cooperate federal immigration authorities at news conference last thursday sessions said loved job planned stay long a justice department official said sessions started day tuesday usual early morning run treadmill department gym soon afterward got work politicsnews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: Republican lawmakers rally around Sessions as Trump intensifies pressureWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top Republican lawmakers rallied to the defense of Jeff Sessions on Tuesday as allies of the attorney general said President Donald Trump appeared to be trying to pressure him to quit by repeatedly criticizing him on Twitter and in interviews. Trump said again he was frustrated that Sessions had recused himself from the federal investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia and said he would not have appointed him had he known he would do so. He stopped short of saying whether he would fire him. Two allies of Sessions told Reuters that Trump’s public attacks went beyond a president simply venting his frustration but were part of a deliberate campaign to encourage the attorney general to step down. They said Trump was likely reluctant to fire Sessions after his sacking of FBI Director James Comey backfired and led to the appointment of an independent special counsel, Robert Mueller, whose wide-ranging probe into contacts between Trump aides and Russian officials has cast a deep shadow over Trump’s presidency.   The Kremlin says it did not interfere in the election, and Trump has denied any collusion. Asked about Sessions’ future, Trump said at a news conference on Tuesday, “Time will tell. Time will tell.” The two allies of Sessions said the attorney general, who was the first Republican senator to back Trump’s presidential campaign, has been deeply offended by the public berating from his boss, but his resolve to stay is strong. It is not clear though whether that will be possible in the long term if Sessions’ relationship with the president irretrievably breaks down.  As Trump and top White House aides stepped up their attacks on Sessions on Tuesday, Republican lawmakers, stunned by the extraordinary scene of a president lambasting a member of his own cabinet, push backed strongly. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the chamber, said Sessions “is doing a fine job and made the right decision to recuse himself from the Russia matter.” Some lawmakers also expressed disquiet with Trump’s public humiliation of Sessions, who has mostly stayed silent on his boss’s criticism. “Mr. President, maybe just try a meeting? This is beneath the office - of any held office - from city councilman to POTUS,” said Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger, using the presidential acronym.  The top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, accused Trump of trying to “bully his own attorney general out of office.” He said if Trump fired Sessions, Democrats would fight any attempt to replace him during the August congressional recess. The split between Trump and Republicans in Congress is the latest test of a strained relationship. Lawmakers have expressed frustration that the upheaval in the White House is distracting from their legislative agenda. Republicans have little to show for Trump’s first six months in office. “We’re getting nothing done,” lamented Senator John McCain on the Senate floor on Tuesday. Trump said in a tweet on Tuesday that Sessions had “taken a VERY weak position” on investigating his former opponent in the 2016 presidential election, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, over her use of a private email server. On Monday, Trump had called his attorney general “beleaguered”.  Sessions recused himself in March from the Russia  investigation after failing to disclose at his confirmation hearing that he had held meetings last year with Russia’s ambassador in Washington. In publicly attacking Sessions, Trump has torn out yet another page from the Washington rulebook - typically a president would convey his displeasure with a cabinet secretary out of the public eye. “In an administration where a lot of unexpected things have happened, this may be the most unexpected. This has risen to a level that we have never seen before,” said Douglas Heye, a former top aide to former Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.  RIGHT-WING BACKLASH? A third Sessions’ ally said an article published by the right-wing website Breitbart on Tuesday painting Trump as “weak” for criticizing a man who is tough on immigration was significant. Breitbart’s previous chairman, Steve Bannon, is one of Trump’s closest White House advisers. “That says to Trump, ‘If you do this, if you get rid of him right now, you will have to face the wrath of the far right,” said the ally. Sessions made a name for himself for his hardline views on immigration and criminal justice. He is aligned with groups that lobby for cutting the number of legal immigrants allowed into country each year, as well as programs to ensure that employers aren’t able to hire illegal workers. As attorney general, he has vowed to crack down on the violent El Salvadorian gang Mara Salvatrucha, known as MS-13, and strip Justice Department funding from so-called sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.  At a news conference last Thursday, Sessions said he loved his job and planned to stay in it “as long as that is appropriate.” A Justice Department official said Sessions started his day on Tuesday with his usual early morning run on the treadmill in the department’s gym. Soon afterward, he got down to work.  politicsNews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: republican lawmakers rally around sessions trump intensifies pressurewashington reuters top republican lawmakers rallied defense jeff sessions tuesday allies attorney general said president donald trump appeared trying pressure quit repeatedly criticizing twitter interviews trump said frustrated sessions recused federal investigation possible collusion trump presidential campaign russia said would appointed known would he stopped short saying whether would fire two allies sessions told reuters trump public attacks went beyond president simply venting frustration part deliberate campaign encourage attorney general step they said trump likely reluctant fire sessions sacking fbi director james come backfired led appointment independent special counsel robert mueller whose probe contacts trump aides russian officials cast deep shadow trump presidency the kremlin says interfere election trump denied collusion asked sessions future trump said news conference tuesday time tell time the two allies sessions said attorney general first republican senator back trump presidential campaign deeply offended public beating boss resolve stay strong it clear though whether possible long term sessions relationship president irretrievably breaks as trump top white house aides stepped attacks sessions tuesday republican lawmakers stunned extraordinary scene president lambasting member cabinet push backed strongly senate majority leader mitch mcconnell top republican chamber said sessions fine job made right decision recuse russia some lawmakers also expressed disquiet trump public humiliation sessions mostly stayed silent boss criticism mr president maybe try meeting this beneath office held office city councilman pots said republican representative adam kinzinger using presidential acronym the top democrat senate chuck scheme accused trump trying bully attorney general he said trump fired sessions democrats would fight attempt replace august congressional recess the split trump republicans congress latest test strained relationship lawmakers expressed frustration upheaval white house distracting legislative agenda republicans little show trump first six months office we getting nothing done lamented senator john mccain senate floor tuesday trump said tweet tuesday sessions taken very weak position investigating former opponent presidential election democratic nominee hillary clinton use private email server on monday trump called attorney general beleaguered sessions recused march russia investigation failing disclose confirmation hearing held meetings last year russia ambassador washington in publicly attacking sessions trump torn yet another page washington rulebook typically president would convey displeasure cabinet secretary public eye in administration lot unexpected things happened may unexpected this risen level never seen said douglas here former top aide former republican house majority leader eric cantor backlash a third sessions ally said article published website breitbart tuesday painting trump weak criticizing man tough immigration significant breitbart previous chairman steve cannon one trump closest white house advisers that says trump if get rid right face wrath far right said ally sessions made name hardline views immigration criminal justice he aligned groups lobby cutting number legal immigrants allowed country year well programs ensure employers able hire illegal workers as attorney general vowed crack violent el salvadorian gang mara salvatrucha known strip justice department funding sanctuary cities cooperate federal immigration authorities at news conference last thursday sessions said loved job planned stay long a justice department official said sessions started day tuesday usual early morning run treadmill department gym soon afterward got work politicsnews