Sessions backs Trump’s firing of Comey

In a routine oversight hearing Wednesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions defended President Donald Trump’s firing of former FBI Director James Comey for his handling of the Hillary Clinton email server investigation. Trump has accused Comey of prematurely exonerating Clinton. On Wednesday morning, the president, in a tweet, pointed to a newly released memo from the FBI that, though highly redacted, could suggest Comey drafted a letter declaring Clinton’s innocence before interviewing all witnesses. Discussion of the White House’s dismissal of Comey dominated much of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Senators also questioned Sessions about the investigation into possible Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, Trump’s pardon of Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and the Justice Department’s policy on religious liberty.