Sessions: Media portrays Russia probe in ways that are ‘not justifiable’

Attorney General Jeff Sessions took issue this week with the news media’s coverage of the investigation into Russia’s meddling in the presidential election, arguing it has blown actions by President Trump and administration officials out of proportion.
“I’m not able to comment on this investigation,” Sessions told Fox News host Sean Hannity in a radio interview Tuesday highlighted by CNN.
“I would say this, that I do feel like often the actions that are perfectly normal and natural are being projected by the media in lights that are just not justifiable,” he continued.
“It’s really painful to see that happening.”
Sessions didn’t elaborate on what he viewed as unfair media coverage.
{mosads}Sessions, who as a senator from Alabama was an early backer and surrogate for Trump’s campaign, recused himself earlier this year from the investigation into Trump campaign associates’ ties to Russia.
Sessions handed control of the probe over to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed special counsel Robert Mueller to head the investigation in May.
The attorney general also commented on a Tuesday request by Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee asking Rosenstein and the Justice Department to appoint a second special counsel for the investigation.
Sessions said the request would be “properly responded to” by the department but did not give further information on how the department would handle the request.
Trump has sparked speculation that he may fire Mueller, who has recently been escalating the investigation into Trump campaign officials and business associates.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.