# Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions vs. the Senate Intelligence Committee **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 11, 2017, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667 "2017-06-11T04:10:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/161 "2017-06-14T22:10:26Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > The problem he has is that he misspoke in his confirmation hearing and was accused of lying on that basis. So now he needs to be extra-careful that he doesn’t say anything definitive about all sorts of things that he’s only 99% sure of (did you speak to any Russians at such-and-such event? did you ever hear anything about Jarred Kushner speaking to any Russians? and so on) I have more than a little trouble believing that a past member of both the Senate Armed Services and Judiciary Committees (especially Armed Services) ‘forgot’ about meeting with the Russian Ambassador to the US three times. Not some Undersecretary for Underwater Basketweaving, but the big cheese in the US who is also one of the most surveilled Russians on American soil. Really doesn’t pass the sniff test. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/162 "2017-06-14T23:21:25Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Well FTR, from everything I’ve seen of Sessions, both before and including his involvement with the Trump administration, my impression is that his integrity is about as high as that of anyone I’ve seen in public office. I’ve not seen the slightest shred of evidence that he’s lied about anything, ever. > > Further, ISTM that the basis for this overwhelming (on this MB and similar circles) sentiment otherwise is completely circular. You decide upfront that you dislike Sessions, then on that basis you interpret everything he says or does in the absolute worst possible manner, which then adds to the growing pile of “evidence” that he’s a liar or worse. But there’s zero objective evidence of anything of the sort. > > YMMV, I suspect. I’m sure you won’t be surprised that my impression is very different, but didn’t you find his reasoning on special-double-secret preventative executive privilege (or whatever it was) pretty damn disingenuous? ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/163 "2017-06-14T23:46:08Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > I have more than a little trouble believing that a past member of both the Senate Armed Services and Judiciary Committees (especially Armed Services) ‘forgot’ about meeting with the Russian Ambassador to the US three times. Not some Undersecretary for Underwater Basketweaving, but the big cheese in the US who is also one of the most surveilled Russians on American soil. Really doesn’t pass the sniff test. Claire McCaskill, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a “gotcha” tweet of hers to Sessions, forgot at least two conversations with the Russian Ambassador completely. Does that pass your “sniff test”? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/164 "2017-06-15T00:02:04Z")
Aside: While I was staring at Sessions’ face, I kept trying to think of who Sessions reminded me of. It finally came to me. _Will & Grace_ fans, doesn’t he make you think of Karen’s nemesis, Beverly Leslie (played by Leslie Jordan)? Same ears, same manner, same high-pitched voice? While searching for photos–holy crap–someone beat me to the punch three months ago on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/alisunalisnow/status/840294929440071680)! Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/165 "2017-06-15T01:56:16Z")
Picture of Sessions meeting with Kislyak. > **[Photograph places Jeff Sessions, Russian ambassador together at the Mayflower...](https://theweek.com/speedreads/705463/photograph-places-jeff-sessions-russian-ambassador-together-mayflower-hotel)** ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/166 "2017-06-15T02:11:16Z")
> [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](#): > > Maybe this is the objective, and it may be effective in a campaign, but it isn’t working too well in governance. The evidence suggests that Trump is indeed struggling to win over the public, and it’s true that his time is not unlimited. Trump was never in a position to just come in and operate like an autocrat. The institutions of American democracy, while in a state of gradual decay, were still pretty strong. But he’s relentlessly chipping away at its structure. Putin didn’t become a dictator overnight. The Nazis didn’t seize power immediately. Authoritarians often look clownish and aren’t taken seriously. Yet the continue to chip away at the structure is designed to keep them in check. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/167 "2017-06-15T02:13:12Z")
If someone has no integrity, that’s pretty much saying they’ve lied. If someone has integrity, you trust them not to be lying to you. If they don’t, then you think they could be. I don’t even say that what he’s doing is outside of normal politician lying. As I’ve said, saying you don’t remember is a tried and true tactic in these sorts of things. Even if you reasonably conclude it’s a lie, it’s one that will not get you in trouble for perjury. But it’s still a lie. He did remember enough to recuse himself. He didn’t forget since then. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/168 "2017-06-15T02:53:10Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Aside: While I was staring at Sessions’ face, I kept trying to think of who Sessions reminded me of. It finally came to me. _Will & Grace_ fans, doesn’t he make you think of Karen’s nemesis, Beverly Leslie (played by Leslie Jordan)? Same ears, same manner, same high-pitched voice? > > While searching for photos–holy crap–someone beat me to the punch three months ago on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/alisunalisnow/status/840294929440071680)! > > Carry on. You don’t maybe have him confused with Trey Gowdy, Anderson Cooper’s evil twin? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/169 "2017-06-15T03:04:46Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > You don’t maybe have him confused with Trey Gowdy, Anderson Cooper’s evil twin? I don’t watch any TV news. No cable, and the only network I get OTA is PBS. Online, I only read–no video. No, Beverly Leslie is EXACTLY who I meant. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/170 "2017-06-15T03:15:42Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Picture of Sessions meeting with Kislyak. > > [Photograph places Jeff Sessions, Russian ambassador together at the Mayflower Hotel | The Week](http://theweek.com/speedreads/705463/photograph-places-jeff-sessions-russian-ambassador-together-mayflower-hotel) Oops! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/171 "2017-06-15T04:35:08Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Picture of Sessions meeting with Kislyak. > > [Photograph places Jeff Sessions, Russian ambassador together at the Mayflower Hotel | The Week](http://theweek.com/speedreads/705463/photograph-places-jeff-sessions-russian-ambassador-together-mayflower-hotel) To be clear, Kislyak is the guy standing on the right, not the one talking to Sessions there. ETA: [Here’s the photo with the full caption](http://www.gettyimages.com/license/650715650). ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/172 "2017-06-15T04:37:14Z")
> [@](#): > > …not the one talking to Sessions there Ernst Stavro Blofeld. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/173 "2017-06-15T05:35:34Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > YMMV, I suspect. Or some of us have known of Jeff Sessions for quite some time and are perfectly well aware what a scumbag he is. Too racist to be a federal judge ring a bell? Only the second judge candidate to be blocked by the senate in 50 years? Please don’t pretend that we didn’t know this guy. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/174 "2017-06-15T05:40:44Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > To be clear, Kislyak is the guy standing on the right, not the one talking to Sessions there. > > ETA: [Here’s the photo with the full caption](http://www.gettyimages.com/license/650715650). I think kislyak is sitting to the far right. The other guy isn’t fat enough. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/175 "2017-06-15T07:00:04Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Who’s going to subpoena Sessions? When? [Special counsel is investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice, officials say](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-is-investigating-trump-for-possible-obstruction-of-justice/2017/06/14/9ce02506-5131-11e7-b064-828ba60fbb98_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_no-name%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.1f66d7253ef7) You were saying? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/176 "2017-06-15T07:02:31Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Claire McCaskill, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a “gotcha” tweet of hers to Sessions, forgot at least two conversations with the Russian Ambassador completely. Does that pass your “sniff test”? Please feel free at any time to enlighten me as to what the fuck that has to do with Sessions lying. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/177 "2017-06-15T09:33:26Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Please feel free at any time to enlighten me as to what the fuck that has to do with Sessions lying. It’s the new “But her emails…!” ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/178 "2017-06-15T11:47:13Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > [Special counsel is investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice, officials say](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-is-investigating-trump-for-possible-obstruction-of-justice/2017/06/14/9ce02506-5131-11e7-b064-828ba60fbb98_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_no-name%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.1f66d7253ef7) > > You were saying? He could end the investigation – he doesn’t even need the deputy attorney general to do it. And beyond that, the question remains: who would issue a subpoena then? I mean, yes, it would seem like a batshit crazy thing to do, but I think his track record suggests he may well be heading in that direction. And he and his defenders will say that he had to do it because his team is made up of partisan hacks who contribute to democratic political campaigns. A lot of his base would eat it up, too. He’s effectively normalizing things that are batshit crazy, and that’s what should concern us. I think that’s what I’m getting at. Obviously, I don’t have a crystal ball, so who knows whether he succeeds, but Trump is clearly going on offense and he’s trying to wreck the institutions that are investigating him. I don’t know if he will succeed, but he could. And even if he doesn’t, he could leave the institutions badly damaged. The real subpoena has to come from grassroots voters between now and next election. If opinion polls show a crushing House defeat, then we’ll see real action. Short of that, the crazy will become the new normal. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/179 "2017-06-15T11:54:36Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Please feel free at any time to enlighten me as to what the fuck that has to do with Sessions lying. I think his point is, why is there even an investigation into Russian collusion in the first place? Why should the country care? If Democrats are going to lead a prosecution against Russian meddling against principally Republican actors, why should people consider such an investigation valid if it doesn’t at least mention the fact that ‘Democrats do it too.’ I’m not saying I agree with that – obviously the issue is whether the Trump campaign knowingly committed the treasonous act of colluding with a foreign nemesis to corrupt our democratic political process. But it’s important to know how other people are processing this so that we can be prepared and react to it accordingly in ways that make sense to a broader base of people. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667/180 "2017-06-15T13:35:57Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > I think kislyak is sitting to the far right. The other guy isn’t fat enough. Ah, I think you are correct. The caption could be written a little more clearly in that regard, but, yes, I do believe he is the guy sitting all the way on the far right. In either case, not the guy meeting with Sessions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atty-gen-jeff-sessions-vs-the-senate-intelligence-committee/788667.md?page=10)