Trump: ‘Not at all concerned’ by Sessions interview in Russia probe

by Jordan Fabian - 01/23/18 2:04 PM ET

President Trump said Tuesday he is not worried about what Attorney General Jeff Sessions said during questioning by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team in the Russia investigation.

“No, I’m not at all,” he told reporters. “I’m not at all concerned.”

The president said he has not spoken to Sessions about what he discussed with the special counsel’s office.

“No, I didn’t. But I’m not at all concerned,” Trump said.

Trump’s comment comes after the Justice Department confirmed that Sessions was interviewed last week as part of Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

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The meeting was the first time Mueller’s team is known to have interviewed a member of Trump’s Cabinet, a sign the Russia probe remains in full swing despite assurances from White House lawyers it is expected to wind down soon.

Trump also denied reports that FBI Director Christopher Wray threatened to resign in response to pressure from Sessions to force out Andrew McCabe, the bureau’s deputy director.

“No. He didn’t at all. He did not even a little bit,” Trump said.

McCabe has come under withering criticism from Trump and other Republicans for his role in the Hillary Clinton email investigation and his relationship with former FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump fired last year.

Sessions recused himself last March from the FBI’s investigation into Russia’s election interference, a decision that angered Trump, who has said he wants his attorney general to protect him.

The former Alabama senator was one of Trump’s earliest supporters during the 2016 campaign, but their relationship never recovered after Sessions’ recusal.

Updated: 2:25 p.m.

Tags Donald Trump Hillary Clinton James Comey Jeff Sessions Robert Mueller