FULL TRANSCRIPT AND VIDEO From A Passionate AG Sessions: “Please hear me now…” [Video]FULL OPENING STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL SESSIONS  STATEMENT: It was a very strong and passionate statement from a determined Sessions.FULL TRANSCRIPT:Thank you Chairman Burr and Ranking Member Warner for allowing me to publicly appear before the committee today.I appreciate the Committee s critically important efforts to investigate Russian interference with our democratic process. Such interference can never be tolerated and I encourage every effort to get to the bottom of any such allegations.As you know, the Deputy Attorney General has appointed a special counsel to investigate matters related to Russian interference in the 2016 election. I am here today to address several issues that have been specifically raised before this committee, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to questions as fully as I am able to do so. But as I advised you, Mr. Chairman, and consistent with long-standing Department of Justice practice, I cannot and will not violate my duty to protect confidential communications with the President.Now, let me address some issues directly: I did not have any private meetings nor do I recall any conversations with any Russian officials at the Mayflower Hotel. I did not attend any meetings at that event. Prior to the speech, I attended a reception with my staff that included at least two dozen people and President Trump. Though I do recall several conversations I had during that pre-speech reception, I do not have any recollection of meeting or talking to the Russian Ambassador or any other Russian officials. If any brief interaction occurred in passing with the Russian Ambassador during that reception, I do not remember it. After the speech, I was interviewed by the news media, which had gathered as I remember in a different room, and then I left the hotel.But whether I ever attended a reception where the Russian Ambassador was also present is entirely beside the point of this investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 campaigns. Let me state this clearly: I have never met with or had any conversations with any Russians or any foreign officials concerning any type of interference with any campaign or election. Further, I have no knowledge of any such conversations by anyone connected to the Trump campaign. I was your colleague in this body for 20 years, and the suggestion that I participated in any collusion or that I was aware of any collusion with the Russian government to hurt this country, which I have served with honor for over 35 years, or to undermine the integrity of our democratic process, is an appalling and detestable lie.Relatedly, there is the assertion that I did not answer Senator Franken s question honestly at my confirmation hearing. That is false. This is how it happened. He asked me a rambling question that included dramatic, new allegations that the United States intelligence community had advised President-elect Trump that  there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump s surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government.  I was taken aback by these explosive allegations, which he said were being reported in breaking news that day. I wanted to refute immediately any suggestion that I was a part of such an activity. I replied,  Senator Franken, I m not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I didn t have   did not have communications with the Russians, and I m unable to comment on it. That was the context in which I was asked the question, and in that context, my answer was a fair and correct response to the charge as I understood it. It simply did not occur to me to go further than the context of the question and list any conversations I may have had with Russians in routine situations, as I had with numerous other foreign officials.Please hear me now. It was only in March of this year that a reporter asked my spokesperson whether I had ever met with any Russian officials. This was the first time that question had been posed. On the same day, we provided that reporter with the information related to the meeting I and my staff had held in my Senate office with Ambassador Kislyak, as well as the brief encounter in July after a speech that I had given during the convention in Cleveland, Ohio. I also provided the reporter a list of all 25 foreign ambassador meetings I had held during 2016. In addition, I provided supplemental testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee to explain this. I readily acknowledged these two meetings. Certainly nothing improper occurred.Let me also explain clearly the circumstances of my recusal from the investigation into the Russian interference with the 2016 election. I was sworn in as Attorney General on Thursday, February 9th. The very next day, I met with career Department officials, including a senior ethics official, to discuss some things publicly reported in the press and that might have some bearing on the issue of recusal. From that point, February 10th, until I announced my formal recusal on March 2nd, I was never briefed on any investigative details and did not access information about the investigation; I received only the limited information that the Department s career officials determined was necessary to inform my recusal decision. As such, I have no knowledge about this investigation beyond what has been publicly reported, and I have taken no action with regard to any such investigation. On the date of my formal recusal, my Chief of Staff sent an email to the heads of the relevant departments, including by name to Director Comey of the FBI, to instruct them to inform their staffs of this recusal and to advise them not to brief me or involve me in any such matters. And in fact, they have not. Importantly, I recused myself not because of any asserted wrongdoing on my part during the campaign, but because a Department of Justice regulation, 28 CFR 45.2, required it. That regulation states, in effect, that Department employees should not participate in investigations of a campaign if they have served as a campaign advisor.The scope of my recusal, however, does not and cannot interfere with my ability to oversee the Department of Justice, including the FBI, which has an $8 billion budget and 35,000 employees. I presented to the President my concerns, and those of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, about the ongoing leadership issues at the FBI as stated in my letter recommending the removal of Mr. Comey along with the Deputy Attorney General s memorandum, which have been released publicly by the White House. It is a clear statement of my views. It is absurd, frankly, to suggest that a recusal from a single specific investigation would render an Attorney General unable to manage the leadership of the various Department of Justice law enforcement components that conduct thousands of investigations.Finally, during his testimony, Mr. Comey discussed a conversation he and I had about a meeting Mr. Comey had with the President. I am happy to share with the committee my recollection of the conversation I had with Mr. Comey. Following a routine morning threat briefing, Mr. Comey spoke to me and my Chief of Staff. While he did not provide me with any of the substance of his conversation with the President, Mr. Comey expressed concern about the proper communications protocol with the White House and with the President. I responded to his comment by agreeing that the FBI and Department of Justice needed to be careful to follow Department policies regarding appropriate contacts with the White House. Mr. Comey had served in the Department of Justice for the better part of two decades, and I was confident that Mr. Comey understood and would abide by the Department s well-established rules governing any communications with the White House about ongoing investigations. My comments encouraged him to do just that and indeed, as I understand, he did. Our Department of Justice rules on proper communication between the Department and the White House have been in place for years. Mr. Comey well knew them, I thought, and assumed correctly that he complied with them.I will finish with this. I recused myself from any investigation into the campaigns for President, but I did not recuse myself from defending my honor against scurrilous and false allegations. At all times throughout the course of the campaign, the confirmation process, and since becoming Attorney General, I have dedicated myself to the highest standards.The people of this country expect an honest and transparent government and that is what we are giving them. This President wants to focus on the people of this country to ensure they are treated fairly and kept safe. The Trump agenda is to improve the lives of the American people. I know some have other agendas, but that is his agenda and it is one I share.Importantly, as Attorney General I have a responsibility to enforce the laws of this Nation, to protect this country from its enemies, and to ensure the fair administration of justice. I intend to work every day with our fine team and the superb professionals in the Department of Justice to advance the important work we have to do. These false attacks, the innuendo, and the leaks, you can be sure, will not intimidate me. In fact, these events have only strengthened my resolve to fulfill my duty to reduce crime, and to support our federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who work our streets every day. Just last week, it was reported that overdose deaths in this country are rising faster than ever recorded. The murder rate is up over 10 percent the largest increase since 1968. Together, we are telling the gangs, the cartels, the fraudsters, and the terrorists we are coming after you. Every one of our citizens, no matter who they are or where they live, has the right to be safe in their homes and communities. And I will not be deterred, and I will not allow this great Department to be deterred from its vital mission.How sad that this is happening to a very good man!politics
full transcript and video from a passionate ag sessions please hear video full opening statement of attorney general sessions statement it strong passionate statement determined transcript thank chairman burn ranking member warner allowing publicly appear committee appreciate committee critically important efforts investigate russian interference democratic process such interference never tolerated i encourage every effort get bottom know deputy attorney general appointed special counsel investigate matters related russian interference election i today address several issues specifically raised committee i appreciate opportunity respond questions fully i able but i advised chairman consistent department justice practice i violate duty protect confidential communications let address issues directly i private meetings i recall conversations russian officials mayflower hotel i attend meetings event prior speech i attended reception staff included least two dozen people president trump though i recall several conversations i reception i recollection meeting talking russian ambassador russian officials if brief interaction occurred passing russian ambassador reception i remember after speech i interviewed news media gathered i remember different room i left whether i ever attended reception russian ambassador also present entirely beside point investigation russian interference campaigns let state clearly i never met conversations russian foreign officials concerning type interference campaign election further i knowledge conversations anyone connected trump campaign i colleague body years suggestion i participated collusion i aware collusion russian government hurt country i served honor years undermine integrity democratic process appalling detectable assertion i answer senator ranked question honestly confirmation hearing that false this happened he asked rambling question included dramatic new allegations united states intelligence community advised trump continuing exchange information campaign trump surrogate intermediaries russian government i taken back explosive allegations said reported breaking news day i wanted refute immediately suggestion i part activity i replied senator ranked i aware activities i called surrogate time two campaign i communications russian i unable comment that context i asked question context answer fair correct response charge i understood it simply occur go context question list conversations i may russian routine situations i numerous foreign hear it march year reporter asked spokesperson whether i ever met russian officials this first time question posed on day provided reporter information related meeting i staff held senate office ambassador kislyak well brief encounter july speech i given convention cleveland ohio i also provided reporter list foreign ambassador meetings i held in addition i provided supplemental testimony senate judiciary committee explain i readily acknowledged two meetings certainly nothing improper also explain clearly circumstances refusal investigation russian interference election i sworn attorney general thursday february the next day i met career department officials including senior ethics official discuss things publicly reported press might bearing issue refusal from point february i announced formal refusal march i never briefed investigative details access information investigation i received limited information department career officials determined necessary inform refusal decision as i knowledge investigation beyond publicly reported i taken action regard investigation on date formal refusal chief staff sent email heads relevant departments including name director come fbi instruct inform staffs refusal advise brief involve matters and fact importantly i recused asserted wrongdoing part campaign department justice regulation cfr required that regulation states effect department employees participate investigations campaign served campaign scope refusal however interfere ability oversee department justice including fbi billion budget employees i presented president concerns deputy attorney general rod rosenstein ongoing leadership issues fbi stated letter recommending removal come along deputy attorney general memorandum released publicly white house it clear statement views it absurd frankly suggest refusal single specific investigation would render attorney general unable manage leadership various department justice law enforcement components conduct thousands testimony come discussed conversation i meeting come president i happy share committee recollection conversation i come following routine morning threat briefing come spoke chief staff while provide substance conversation president come expressed concern proper communications protocol white house president i responded comment agreeing fbi department justice needed careful follow department policies regarding appropriate contacts white house come served department justice better part two decades i confident come understood would abide department rules governing communications white house ongoing investigations my comments encouraged indeed i understand our department justice rules proper communication department white house place years come well knew i thought assumed correctly complied finish i recused investigation campaigns president i recuse defending honor scurrilous false allegations at times throughout course campaign confirmation process since becoming attorney general i dedicated highest people country expect honest transparent government giving this president wants focus people country ensure treated fairly kept safe the trump agenda improve lives american people i know agendas agenda one i attorney general i responsibility enforce laws nation protect country enemies ensure fair administration justice i intend work every day fine team superb professionals department justice advance important work these false attacks innuendo leaks sure intimidate in fact events strengthened resolve fulfill duty reduce crime support federal state local law enforcement officers work streets every day just last week reported overdose deaths country rising faster ever recorded the murder rate percent largest increase since together telling gangs cartels fraudsters terrorists coming every one citizens matter live right safe homes communities and i deferred i allow great department deferred vital sad happening good man politics
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: FULL TRANSCRIPT AND VIDEO From A Passionate AG Sessions: “Please hear me now…” [Video]FULL OPENING STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL SESSIONS  STATEMENT: It was a very strong and passionate statement from a determined Sessions.FULL TRANSCRIPT:Thank you Chairman Burr and Ranking Member Warner for allowing me to publicly appear before the committee today.I appreciate the Committee s critically important efforts to investigate Russian interference with our democratic process. Such interference can never be tolerated and I encourage every effort to get to the bottom of any such allegations.As you know, the Deputy Attorney General has appointed a special counsel to investigate matters related to Russian interference in the 2016 election. I am here today to address several issues that have been specifically raised before this committee, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to questions as fully as I am able to do so. But as I advised you, Mr. Chairman, and consistent with long-standing Department of Justice practice, I cannot and will not violate my duty to protect confidential communications with the President.Now, let me address some issues directly: I did not have any private meetings nor do I recall any conversations with any Russian officials at the Mayflower Hotel. I did not attend any meetings at that event. Prior to the speech, I attended a reception with my staff that included at least two dozen people and President Trump. Though I do recall several conversations I had during that pre-speech reception, I do not have any recollection of meeting or talking to the Russian Ambassador or any other Russian officials. If any brief interaction occurred in passing with the Russian Ambassador during that reception, I do not remember it. After the speech, I was interviewed by the news media, which had gathered as I remember in a different room, and then I left the hotel.But whether I ever attended a reception where the Russian Ambassador was also present is entirely beside the point of this investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 campaigns. Let me state this clearly: I have never met with or had any conversations with any Russians or any foreign officials concerning any type of interference with any campaign or election. Further, I have no knowledge of any such conversations by anyone connected to the Trump campaign. I was your colleague in this body for 20 years, and the suggestion that I participated in any collusion or that I was aware of any collusion with the Russian government to hurt this country, which I have served with honor for over 35 years, or to undermine the integrity of our democratic process, is an appalling and detestable lie.Relatedly, there is the assertion that I did not answer Senator Franken s question honestly at my confirmation hearing. That is false. This is how it happened. He asked me a rambling question that included dramatic, new allegations that the United States intelligence community had advised President-elect Trump that  there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump s surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government.  I was taken aback by these explosive allegations, which he said were being reported in breaking news that day. I wanted to refute immediately any suggestion that I was a part of such an activity. I replied,  Senator Franken, I m not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I didn t have   did not have communications with the Russians, and I m unable to comment on it. That was the context in which I was asked the question, and in that context, my answer was a fair and correct response to the charge as I understood it. It simply did not occur to me to go further than the context of the question and list any conversations I may have had with Russians in routine situations, as I had with numerous other foreign officials.Please hear me now. It was only in March of this year that a reporter asked my spokesperson whether I had ever met with any Russian officials. This was the first time that question had been posed. On the same day, we provided that reporter with the information related to the meeting I and my staff had held in my Senate office with Ambassador Kislyak, as well as the brief encounter in July after a speech that I had given during the convention in Cleveland, Ohio. I also provided the reporter a list of all 25 foreign ambassador meetings I had held during 2016. In addition, I provided supplemental testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee to explain this. I readily acknowledged these two meetings. Certainly nothing improper occurred.Let me also explain clearly the circumstances of my recusal from the investigation into the Russian interference with the 2016 election. I was sworn in as Attorney General on Thursday, February 9th. The very next day, I met with career Department officials, including a senior ethics official, to discuss some things publicly reported in the press and that might have some bearing on the issue of recusal. From that point, February 10th, until I announced my formal recusal on March 2nd, I was never briefed on any investigative details and did not access information about the investigation; I received only the limited information that the Department s career officials determined was necessary to inform my recusal decision. As such, I have no knowledge about this investigation beyond what has been publicly reported, and I have taken no action with regard to any such investigation. On the date of my formal recusal, my Chief of Staff sent an email to the heads of the relevant departments, including by name to Director Comey of the FBI, to instruct them to inform their staffs of this recusal and to advise them not to brief me or involve me in any such matters. And in fact, they have not. Importantly, I recused myself not because of any asserted wrongdoing on my part during the campaign, but because a Department of Justice regulation, 28 CFR 45.2, required it. That regulation states, in effect, that Department employees should not participate in investigations of a campaign if they have served as a campaign advisor.The scope of my recusal, however, does not and cannot interfere with my ability to oversee the Department of Justice, including the FBI, which has an $8 billion budget and 35,000 employees. I presented to the President my concerns, and those of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, about the ongoing leadership issues at the FBI as stated in my letter recommending the removal of Mr. Comey along with the Deputy Attorney General s memorandum, which have been released publicly by the White House. It is a clear statement of my views. It is absurd, frankly, to suggest that a recusal from a single specific investigation would render an Attorney General unable to manage the leadership of the various Department of Justice law enforcement components that conduct thousands of investigations.Finally, during his testimony, Mr. Comey discussed a conversation he and I had about a meeting Mr. Comey had with the President. I am happy to share with the committee my recollection of the conversation I had with Mr. Comey. Following a routine morning threat briefing, Mr. Comey spoke to me and my Chief of Staff. While he did not provide me with any of the substance of his conversation with the President, Mr. Comey expressed concern about the proper communications protocol with the White House and with the President. I responded to his comment by agreeing that the FBI and Department of Justice needed to be careful to follow Department policies regarding appropriate contacts with the White House. Mr. Comey had served in the Department of Justice for the better part of two decades, and I was confident that Mr. Comey understood and would abide by the Department s well-established rules governing any communications with the White House about ongoing investigations. My comments encouraged him to do just that and indeed, as I understand, he did. Our Department of Justice rules on proper communication between the Department and the White House have been in place for years. Mr. Comey well knew them, I thought, and assumed correctly that he complied with them.I will finish with this. I recused myself from any investigation into the campaigns for President, but I did not recuse myself from defending my honor against scurrilous and false allegations. At all times throughout the course of the campaign, the confirmation process, and since becoming Attorney General, I have dedicated myself to the highest standards.The people of this country expect an honest and transparent government and that is what we are giving them. This President wants to focus on the people of this country to ensure they are treated fairly and kept safe. The Trump agenda is to improve the lives of the American people. I know some have other agendas, but that is his agenda and it is one I share.Importantly, as Attorney General I have a responsibility to enforce the laws of this Nation, to protect this country from its enemies, and to ensure the fair administration of justice. I intend to work every day with our fine team and the superb professionals in the Department of Justice to advance the important work we have to do. These false attacks, the innuendo, and the leaks, you can be sure, will not intimidate me. In fact, these events have only strengthened my resolve to fulfill my duty to reduce crime, and to support our federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who work our streets every day. Just last week, it was reported that overdose deaths in this country are rising faster than ever recorded. The murder rate is up over 10 percent the largest increase since 1968. Together, we are telling the gangs, the cartels, the fraudsters, and the terrorists we are coming after you. Every one of our citizens, no matter who they are or where they live, has the right to be safe in their homes and communities. And I will not be deterred, and I will not allow this great Department to be deterred from its vital mission.How sad that this is happening to a very good man!politics
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: full transcript and video from a passionate ag sessions please hear video full opening statement of attorney general sessions statement it strong passionate statement determined transcript thank chairman burn ranking member warner allowing publicly appear committee appreciate committee critically important efforts investigate russian interference democratic process such interference never tolerated i encourage every effort get bottom know deputy attorney general appointed special counsel investigate matters related russian interference election i today address several issues specifically raised committee i appreciate opportunity respond questions fully i able but i advised chairman consistent department justice practice i violate duty protect confidential communications let address issues directly i private meetings i recall conversations russian officials mayflower hotel i attend meetings event prior speech i attended reception staff included least two dozen people president trump though i recall several conversations i reception i recollection meeting talking russian ambassador russian officials if brief interaction occurred passing russian ambassador reception i remember after speech i interviewed news media gathered i remember different room i left whether i ever attended reception russian ambassador also present entirely beside point investigation russian interference campaigns let state clearly i never met conversations russian foreign officials concerning type interference campaign election further i knowledge conversations anyone connected trump campaign i colleague body years suggestion i participated collusion i aware collusion russian government hurt country i served honor years undermine integrity democratic process appalling detectable assertion i answer senator ranked question honestly confirmation hearing that false this happened he asked rambling question included dramatic new allegations united states intelligence community advised trump continuing exchange information campaign trump surrogate intermediaries russian government i taken back explosive allegations said reported breaking news day i wanted refute immediately suggestion i part activity i replied senator ranked i aware activities i called surrogate time two campaign i communications russian i unable comment that context i asked question context answer fair correct response charge i understood it simply occur go context question list conversations i may russian routine situations i numerous foreign hear it march year reporter asked spokesperson whether i ever met russian officials this first time question posed on day provided reporter information related meeting i staff held senate office ambassador kislyak well brief encounter july speech i given convention cleveland ohio i also provided reporter list foreign ambassador meetings i held in addition i provided supplemental testimony senate judiciary committee explain i readily acknowledged two meetings certainly nothing improper also explain clearly circumstances refusal investigation russian interference election i sworn attorney general thursday february the next day i met career department officials including senior ethics official discuss things publicly reported press might bearing issue refusal from point february i announced formal refusal march i never briefed investigative details access information investigation i received limited information department career officials determined necessary inform refusal decision as i knowledge investigation beyond publicly reported i taken action regard investigation on date formal refusal chief staff sent email heads relevant departments including name director come fbi instruct inform staffs refusal advise brief involve matters and fact importantly i recused asserted wrongdoing part campaign department justice regulation cfr required that regulation states effect department employees participate investigations campaign served campaign scope refusal however interfere ability oversee department justice including fbi billion budget employees i presented president concerns deputy attorney general rod rosenstein ongoing leadership issues fbi stated letter recommending removal come along deputy attorney general memorandum released publicly white house it clear statement views it absurd frankly suggest refusal single specific investigation would render attorney general unable manage leadership various department justice law enforcement components conduct thousands testimony come discussed conversation i meeting come president i happy share committee recollection conversation i come following routine morning threat briefing come spoke chief staff while provide substance conversation president come expressed concern proper communications protocol white house president i responded comment agreeing fbi department justice needed careful follow department policies regarding appropriate contacts white house come served department justice better part two decades i confident come understood would abide department rules governing communications white house ongoing investigations my comments encouraged indeed i understand our department justice rules proper communication department white house place years come well knew i thought assumed correctly complied finish i recused investigation campaigns president i recuse defending honor scurrilous false allegations at times throughout course campaign confirmation process since becoming attorney general i dedicated highest people country expect honest transparent government giving this president wants focus people country ensure treated fairly kept safe the trump agenda improve lives american people i know agendas agenda one i attorney general i responsibility enforce laws nation protect country enemies ensure fair administration justice i intend work every day fine team superb professionals department justice advance important work these false attacks innuendo leaks sure intimidate in fact events strengthened resolve fulfill duty reduce crime support federal state local law enforcement officers work streets every day just last week reported overdose deaths country rising faster ever recorded the murder rate percent largest increase since together telling gangs cartels fraudsters terrorists coming every one citizens matter live right safe homes communities and i deferred i allow great department deferred vital sad happening good man politics