What did Jeff Sessions know about Russia and when did he know it?
All roads in the Trump-Russia investigation go through Jeff Sessions.
He was a strong supporter of Donald Trump during the campaign, becoming the first senator to endorse Trump, and serving on the campaign’s national security advisory team.
Once a Russia hardliner, Sessions quickly abandoned his stance and eventually met with the Russian ambassador — a meeting he lied about under oath.
Here’s a timeline of Jeff Sessions’ involvement in the Russia scandal:
2015
“[T]here’s a danger that [Putin’s Russia] continue this overreach” by trying to dominate other Eastern European nations and “It needs to be clear that Russia knows that there will be a high price to pay if this behavior continues.” — Jeff Sessions
Trump announced bid for president
2016
Sessions became the first sitting U.S. senator to endorse Trump.
Sessions announced as chair of the Trump campaign’s national security advisory team.
Trump named Carter Page as a foreign policy adviser. Page served on Sessions’ national security advisory committee.
“I think his emphasis on a more realistic, pragmatic foreign policy is good. I think an argument can be made there is no reason for the U.S. and Russia to be at this loggerheads.” — Jeff Sessions
Sessions and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak attended Trump’s foreign policy speech at the Mayflower hotel and may have had an undisclosed private meeting.
FBI obtained FISA warrant to monitor communications from Carter Page.
Carter Page gave lecture in Moscow. The trip was approved by former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. According to the Christopher Steele dossier Page also met with Igor Sechin and Igor Diveykin.
During the GOP convention Ambassador Kislyak secretly met with Sessions, Carter Page, JD Gordon, and Walid Phares.
Trump aides including Gordon removed a pro-Ukraine amendment from GOP platform.
Sessions met with Ambassador Kislyak in a previously undisclosed meeting in his Senate office.
Trump won the election.
Trump announced Sessions as his pick for Attorney General.
2017
Sessions testified in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee and lied that did not have communications with the Russians during the campaign.
Sessions confirmed as Attorney General.
Jeff Sessions sworn-in.
FBI Director James Comey and the FBI senior leadership team reached the conclusion that Jeff Sessions “was very close to and inevitably going to recuse himself” from the Russia investigation for “a variety of reasons.”
Comey testified that he asked Sessions to never leave him alone with Trump again.
Sessions announced he would recuse himself from DOJ Russian investigation.
Despite recusal, Sessions interviewed candidates for interim FBI Director.
Despite recusal, Sessions interviewed eight candidates for FBI Director.
Despite recusal, Sessions praised President Trump’s pick Christopher Wray for FBI Director.
It was reported that Sessions offered to resign in recent weeks over frustration Trump had with him in part for recusing himself from the Russia investigation.
Sessions cancelled scheduled open appearances before the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees.
Sessions said he would appear before the Senate Select Intelligence Committee instead.
