Mueller Reportedly Investigating Confrontation Between Trump and Sessions Over Russia Recusal

 

The New York Times has broken some news tonight about a confrontation between President Trump and Jeff Sessions last year over AG’s decision to recuse himself in the Russia probe.

Per the Times, this confrontation is a key part of Robert Mueller‘s investigation into potential obstruction:

By the time Attorney General Jeff Sessions arrived at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort for dinner one Saturday evening in March 2017, he had been receiving the presidential silent treatment for two days. Mr. Sessions had flown to Florida because Mr. Trump was refusing to take his calls about a pressing decision on his travel ban.

When they met, Mr. Trump was ready to talk — but not about the travel ban. His grievance was with Mr. Sessions: The president objected to his decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. Mr. Trump, who had told aides that he needed a loyalist overseeing the inquiry, berated Mr. Sessions and told him he should reverse his decision, an unusual and potentially inappropriate request.

Mr. Sessions refused.

It’s no great mystery that Trump isn’t happy about Sessions’ recusal decision. He’s said it on the record more than once.

But confronting him like this in a private setting is a new development that raises more questions, though Rudy Giuliani has already downplayed it.

In a statement to the Times, he said, “‘Unrecuse’ doesn’t say, ‘Bury the investigation.’ It says on the face of it: Take responsibility for it and handle it correctly.”

[image via screengrab]

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Josh Feldman is a Senior Editor at Mediaite. Email him here: josh@mediaite.com Follow him on Twitter: @feldmaniac