The New York Times recently published the list of questions that Special Counsel Robert Mueller wants to ask Donald Trump in his Russia investigation, including some questions regarding Attorney General Jeff Sessions. These events are significant because they show evidence of Trump’s attempts to obstruct the Russia investigation. To provide some context for Mueller’s questions, here is a timeline showing the significant events related to Sessions in the investigation.
Read more: What Mueller wants to ask Trump and why
March 1, 2017: Report reveals Sessions’ meeting with Russian ambassador
The Washington Post reported that Sessions failed to disclose multiple meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the campaign to the Senate during his confirmation hearing.
Early March 2017: Trump tries to stop Sessions from recusing himself from the probe
Trump reportedly asked White House Counsel Don McGahn to stop Sessions from recusing himself from the Russia investigation. According to reports, Trump said, “he needed his Attorney General to protect him.”
March 2, 2017: Sessions publicly recuses himself
Sessions publicly announced he would recuse himself from the Russia investigation because he had been personally involved in Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Read more: Mueller investigation’s evidence of Trump’s obstruction
Early May 2017: Trump lashes out at Sessions
Trump berated Sessions for recusing himself from the investigation, blaming him for Robert Mueller’s appointment as a Special Counsel. Sessions reportedly turned in a resignation letter in response to this incident.
Late May 2017: Trump rejects Sessions’ resignation
Trump was ultimately convinced by aides to not accept Sessions’ resignation. Vice President Mike Pence, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, and chief strategist Steve Bannon all warned Trump that Sessions’ resignation would create more chaos and political discord within the Republican establishment.
July 19, 2017: Trump tells a reporter he regrets nominating Sessions
Trump told The New York Times in July 2017 that he would not have appointed Sessions to his position if he had known that he was going to recuse himself from the Russia investigation.
July 2017: Trump asks Chief of Staff to get Sessions’ resignation
Trump ordered his chief of staff, Reince Priebus, to get Sessions’ resignation, but Priebus was able to talk him down from asking Sessions to resign.
July 24-26, 2017: Trump publicly criticizes Sessions
Trump attacked Sessions on Twitter over a three-day period, causing speculation that Trump was once again looking to fire Sessions. Trump accused him of being “weak” and insulted him for not opening a criminal investigation into Hillary Clinton.
Investigations
Special Counsel Robert Mueller is moving forward with the investigation into possible coordination between Donald Trump’s campaign and the Russian government during the 2016 election, while Congress’ investigations vary in their direction and effectiveness.