'Americans are sick of stonewalling': Sen. Wyden corners a seething Sessions over Comey's firing

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) on Tuesday slammed Jeff Sessions for “stonewalling” on the Russia investigation, cornering the attorney general for signing off on former FBI Director James Comey's dismissal despite having recused himself from the probe.

Wyden noted Comey’s testimony last week before the Senate Intelligence Committee, where the former FBI director called Sessions’ “continued engagement in a Russia-related investigation problematic,” but that he could not discuss the details in public.

Sessions argued he “basically recused himself” from the investigation.

“Respectfully, you’re not answering the question,” Wyden said.

“Well, what is the question?” Sessions said.

“The question is: Mr. Comey said there were matters with respect to the recusal there were problematic and he couldn't talk about them,” Wyden replied. “What are they?”

“I—why don’t you tell me?” Sessions shot back. “This is a secret innuendo being leaked about me, and I don’t appreciate it … it’s really, people are suggesting sort of innuendo that I have been not honest about matter and I’ve tried to be honest.”

“My time is short, you made your point that you think Mr. Comey is engaging in innuendo,” Wyden said.

“Some of that leaked out of the committee that [Comey] said in closed sessions,” Session opined.

Wyden later asked Sessions why he recommended Comey’s firing when it violated his recusal.

“It did not violate my recusal,” Sessions said.

“That answer, in my opinion, does not pass the smell test,” Wyden replied.


Watch the exchange below, via CNN: