Act I · Nomination
‘This isn't a campaign,
this is a movement.’
— Jeff Sessions
Act I · Nomination
‘This isn't a campaign, this is a movement.’
— Jeff Sessions
Act I · Nomination
‘This isn't a campaign, this is a movement.’ — Jeff Sessions
Attorney General Jeff Sessions endorsed Donald Trump for president on Feb. 28, 2016. At a well-attended Trump rally in Madison, Ala., Sessions, then a Republican senator from Alabama, served as a top foreign-policy adviser during the campaign. Ahead of the election, Sessions met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and discussed Trump campaign-related matters, according to current and former U.S. officials.
[Jeff Sessions is Donald Trump’s biggest fan. Here’s how their relationship began.]
FEB. 28,
2016
MARCH
Sen. Jeff Sessions
endorses Trump
On Feb. 28, at a rally in Madison, Ala., Sessions becomes the first senator to endorse Trump for president.
APRIL
Sessions meets the Russian ambassador
Sessions’s first discussion with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak takes place at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on April 27, 2016.
MAY
JUNE
JULY
Second meeting
On July 18, Sessions meets Kislyak at a panel hosted by the Heritage Foundation at the Republican National Convention.
AUG.
Third meeting
SEP.
On Sept. 8, Sessions meets Kislyak in his Senate office.
OCT.
Trump announces Sessions as attorney general
NOV. 18
Trump wins the election on Nov. 8, 2016. Ten days later, he announces his intention to nominate Sessions as the attorney general.
FEB. 28,
2016
MARCH
Sen. Jeff Sessions
endorses Trump
On Feb. 28, at a rally
in Madison, Ala., Sessions becomes the first senator to endorse Trump for president.
APRIL
Sessions meets the
Russian ambassador
Sessions’s first discussion with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak takes place at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on April 27, 2016.
MAY
JUNE
JULY
Second meeting
On July 18, Sessions meets Kislyak at a panel hosted by the Heritage Foundation at the Republican National Convention.
AUG.
Third meeting
SEP.
On Sept. 8, Sessions meets Kislyak in his Senate office.
OCT.
Trump announces Sessions
as attorney general
Trump wins the election on Nov. 8, 2016. Ten days later, he announces his intention to nominate Sessions as the attorney general.
NOV. 18
FEB. 28,
2016
MARCH
Sen. Jeff Sessions
endorses Trump
On Feb. 28, at a rally
in Madison, Ala., Sessions becomes the first senator to endorse Trump for president.
APRIL
Sessions meets the
Russian ambassador
Sessions’s first discussion with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak takes place at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on April 27, 2016.
MAY
JUNE
JULY
Second meeting
On July 18, Sessions meets Kislyak at a panel hosted by the Heritage Foundation at the Republican National Convention.
AUG.
Third meeting
SEP.
On Sept. 8, Sessions meets Kislyak in his Senate office.
OCT.
Trump announces Sessions as attorney general
Trump wins the election on Nov. 8, 2016. Ten days later, he announces his intention to nominate Sessions as the attorney general.
NOV. 18
Act II · Confirmation
‘I did not have communications
with the Russians.’
— Jeff Sessions
Act II · Confirmation
‘I did not have communications with the Russians.’
— Jeff Sessions
Act II · Confirmation
‘I did not have communications with the Russians.’ — Jeff Sessions
At his Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Sessions was asked by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) what he would do if he learned of any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of the 2016 campaign. “I’m not aware of any of those activities,” he responded. He added: “I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign, and I did not have communications with the Russians.”
A week later, Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) asked Sessions in a letter: “Have you been in contact with anyone connected to any part of the Russian government about the 2016 election, either before or after Election Day?” Sessions said, “No.”
[Jeff Sessions’s denials of contact with Russians are falling apart quickly]
Flynn contacts Kislyak
Kislyak says that before Nov. 8, he talked via text, by phone and in person with Michael Flynn, who becomes national security adviser.
On Dec. 29, Flynn and Kislyak discuss Obama administration sanctions against Russia.
SEP.
2016
Yates warns about
Flynn’s contacts
OCT.
On Jan. 26, acting attorney general Sally Q. Yates tells the White House counsel that Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail by Russia.
NOV.
James B. Comey leads FBI investigation on Trump team’s contacts with Russians
DEC.
JAN.
2017
Jan. 30
Trump meets Comey,
fires Yates
Feb. 9
FEB. 9
On Jan. 27, according to Comey’s testimony, Trump asks the FBI director for his loyalty during a private dinner.
On Jan. 30, Trump fires Yates for not defending the travel ban.
Sessions becomes attorney general
In his confirmation hearing, Sessions denies contacts with Russian officials.
Flynn contacts Kislyak
SEP.
2016
Kislyak says that before Nov. 8, he talked via text, by phone and in person with Michael Flynn, who becomes national security adviser.
On Dec. 29, Flynn and Kislyak discuss Obama administration sanctions against Russia.
Yates warns about
Flynn’s contacts
OCT.
On Jan. 26, acting attorney general Sally Q. Yates tells the White House counsel that Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail by Russia.
NOV.
James B. Comey leads FBI investigation on Trump team’s contacts with Russians
DEC.
Phone calls between Flynn and Kislyak are monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies.
JAN.
2017
Jan. 30
Trump meets Comey,
fires Yates
Feb. 9
On Jan. 27, according to Comey’s testimony, Trump asks the FBI director for his loyalty during a private dinner.
On Jan. 30, Trump fires Yates for not defending the travel ban.
FEB. 9
Sessions becomes attorney general
In his confirmation hearing, Sessions denies contacts with Russian officials.
Flynn contacts Kislyak
SEP.
2016
Kislyak says that before Nov. 8, he talked via text, by phone and in person with Michael Flynn, who becomes national security adviser.
On Dec. 29, Flynn and Kislyak discuss Obama administration sanctions against Russia.
OCT.
Yates warns about
Flynn’s contacts
On Jan. 26, acting attorney general Sally Q. Yates tells the White House counsel that Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail by Russia.
NOV.
James B. Comey leads FBI
investigation on Trump
team’s contacts with Russians
DEC.
Phone calls between Flynn and Kislyak are monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies.
JAN.
2017
Jan. 30
Trump meets Comey,
fires Yates
Feb. 9
FEB. 9
On Jan. 27, according to Comey’s testimony, Trump asks the FBI director for his loyalty during a private dinner.
On Jan. 30, Trump fires Yates for not defending the travel ban.
Sessions becomes
attorney general
In his confirmation hearing, Sessions denies contacts with Russian officials.
Act III · Recusal
‘He should have told me
before he took the job.’
— President Trump
Act III · Recusal
‘He should have told me before he took the job.’
— President Trump
Act III · Recusal
‘He should have told me before he took the job.’ — President Trump
In March, Sessions recused himself from any investigation into the 2016 presidential election, including the Russia probe, after The Post reported he had met with Kislyak at least twice in 2016, contacts he failed to disclose during his confirmation hearing.
Two months later, Sessions told President Trump in a letter that he had concerns about FBI Director James B. Comey, who was leading an investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. Sessions concluded that “a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI.”
In his letter, Sessions referenced a letter from Rod J. Rosenstein written May 9. The letter argued that Comey should be fired for his actions in handling the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server.
Trump fired Comey on May 9.
After the firing, Comey leaked a document to the media that described a conversation Trump had with him about the investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. According to Comey’s notes, the president said: “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.”
Rosenstein, who was criticized for his role in the Comey firing, appointed Robert S. Mueller III as special counsel to conduct the Russia investigation. On July 21, the Post reported that Trump advisers said the president was irritated by the notion that Mueller’s probe could reach into his and his family’s finances.
[Trump team seeks to control, block Mueller’s Russia investigation]
After Yates is fired on Jan. 30, U.S. Attorney Dana Boente serves as the acting attorney general and then as deputy until Rod J. Rosenstein is promoted on April 26.
Sessions
recuses himself
Sessions is appointed Attorney General on Feb. 9. He recuses himself from any investigations into the 2016 presidential election, including the Russia probe, on March 2.
FEB.
2017
MARCH
Rosenstein recommends
Comey’s firing in a memo
The letter, written on May 9, is initially used by the White House to justify Comey’s firing.
Comey leaks details of his meetings with Trump.
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
Rosenstein
appoints
Robert S. Mueller III
Sessions agrees
to Comey’s firing
JULY
In a letter to Trump, Sessions said he agreed Comey had to go.
“I have concluded that a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI,” Sessions wrote.
Mueller is appointed as special counsel
On May 17, Rosenstein appoints Mueller as special counsel. In July, The Post reports that some of Trump’s lawyers are exploring ways to limit or undercut Mueller’s investigation.
Sessions replaces Dana Boente with Rod J. Rosenstein as his deputy
Sessions
recuses himself
Sessions replaces Dana Boente with Rod J. Rosenstein as his deputy
Sessions is appointed Attorney General on Feb. 9. He recuses himself from any investigations into the 2016 presidential election, including the Russia probe, on March 2.
FEB.
2017
After Yates is fired on Jan. 30, U.S. Attorney Dana Boente serves as the acting attorney general and then as deputy until Rosenstein is promoted on April 26.
MARCH
APRIL
Rosenstein recommends
Comey’s firing in a memo
The letter, written on May 9, is initially used by the White House to justify Comey’s firing.
MAY
Comey leaks details of his contacts with Trump
Sessions agrees
to Comey’s firing
JUNE
In a letter to Trump, Sessions said he agreed Comey had to go.
“I have concluded that a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI,” Sessions wrote.
Rosenstein
appoints
Robert S. Mueller III
JULY
Mueller is appointed as special counsel
On May 17, Rosenstein appoints Mueller as special counsel. In July, The Post reports that some of Trump’s lawyers are exploring ways to limit or undercut Mueller’s investigation.
Sessions
recuses himself
Sessions replaces Dana Boente with Rod J. Rosenstein as his deputy
Sessions is appointed attorney general on Feb. 9. He recuses himself from any investigations into the 2016 presidential election, including the Russia probe, on March 2.
FEB.
2017
After Yates is fired on Jan. 30, U.S. Attorney Dana Boente serves as the acting attorney general and then as deputy until Rosenstein is promoted on April 26.
MARCH
APRIL
Rosenstein recommends
Comey’s firing in a memo
The letter, written on May 9, is initially used by the White House to justify Comey’s firing.
MAY
Sessions agrees
to Comey’s firing
JUNE
In a letter to Trump, Sessions said he agreed Comey had to go.
“I have concluded that a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI,” Sessions wrote.
Rosenstein
appoints
Robert S. Mueller III
JULY
Comey leaks details of his contacts with Trump
Trump wanted Comey to end the investigation into Flynn, according to Comey.
Mueller is appointed
as special counsel
On May 17, Rosenstein appoints Mueller as special counsel. On July 21, The Post reports that some of Trump’s lawyers are exploring ways to limit or undercut Mueller’s investigation.
[Trump blasts AG Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia probe]
Sessions’s decision to recuse himself was criticized by Trump, who said in an interview with the New York Times: “Sessions should have never recused himself, and if he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me before he took the job and I would have picked somebody else.”
Act IV · Cliffhanger
‘We love this job.’
— Jeff Sessions
Act IV · Cliffhanger
‘We love this job.’
— Jeff Sessions
Act IV · Cliffhanger
‘We love this job.’ — Jeff Sessions
When Trump increased the pressure on Sessions with public attacks on Twitter and in media interviews, The Post reported that the president had discussed with his advisers the possibility of installing a new attorney general through a recess appointment if Sessions leaves the job.
[ Trump ponders a recess appointment to replace Sessions ]
On July 20, Sessions said at a news conference he loves his job and will stay “as long as that is appropriate.”
JULY
Sessions says
he will stay
Trump ponders whether to replace Sessions
At a news conference on July 20, Sessions made clear his intention to remain in his position: “I have the honor of serving as attorney general.
... We love this job. We love this department, and I plan to continue to do so, as long as that is appropriate.”
On July 26, The Post reports that replacing Sessions could be a precursor to firing Mueller as special counsel, but several of Trump’s White House advisers have strongly counseled him against it.
Sessions says
he will stay
Trump ponders whether
to replace Sessions
JULY
On July 26, The Post reports that replacing Sessions could be a precursor to firing Mueller as special counsel, but several of Trump’s White House advisers have strongly counseled him against it.
At a news conference on July 20, Sessions made clear his intention to remain in his position: “I have the honor of serving as attorney general ... We love this job. We love this department, and I plan to continue to do so, as long as that is appropriate.”
Sessions says
he will stay
Trump ponders whether
to replace Sessions
JULY
On July 26, The Post reports that replacing Sessions could be a precursor to firing Mueller as special counsel, but several of Trump’s White House advisers have strongly counseled him against it.
At a news conference on July 20, Sessions made clear his intention to remain in his position: “I have the honor of serving as attorney general ... We love this job. We love this department, and I plan to continue to do so, as long as that is appropriate.”
On July 27, Sessions told Tucker Carlson on Fox News that even though he has been hurt by Trump’s words, he is not stepping down. “It’s kind of hurtful, but the president of the United States is a strong leader,” he said.
[Jeff Sessions says he’s been hurt by Trump’s criticism, but he is not quitting]
Earlier in the day, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) warned the president during an interview with CNN: “If Jeff Sessions is fired, there will be holy hell to pay. Any effort to go after Mueller could be the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency.”
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