SESSIONS: 'I made the right decision' recusing myself from the Russia investigation

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Attorney General Jeff Sessions remained adamant he "made the right decision" regarding his recusal from the ongoing Russia probe that has since cast a shadow over Donald Trump's presidency.

Speaking to Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Thursday, Sessions said that he understood Trump's feelings about the investigation and that it "has been a big distraction for him."

"But Tucker, I talked to experts in the Department of Justice, people who are trained in that," Sessions said. "I'm confident I made the right decision, the decision that's consistent for the rule of law.

"And [an] Attorney General who doesn't follow the law is not very effective in leading the Department of Justice," Sessions continued. "So I think as with 15 years in the department, having served in that great department, knowing that integrity that's required of the Attorney General, I believe I made the right decision."

Sessions recused himself from the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential election in March, following the outcry over his failure to disclose campaign-trail meetings he had with a Russian ambassador when asked about it during his confirmation hearing.  

Trump then began his tirade against Sessions in an interview with The New York Times, saying that he would have reconsidered his decision to nominate Sessions had he known he was going to recuse himself. Trump then called Sessions "beleaguered" on Twitter and further criticized his judgment in the Justice Department.

"Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers," Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

Despite drawing Trump's ire, Sessions continued to express his willingness to serve as Trump's top law enforcement officer.

"I serve at the pleasure of the president," Sessions said. "If he wants to make a change, he can certainly do so and I would be glad to yield in that circumstance, no doubt about it. But I do believe that we are making tremendous progress. I can feel the movement that we are doing."

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