Department of Justice
Live Blog: House Judiciary Committee Hearing: Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Shannon Togawa Mercer Tue, Nov 14, 2017, 9:48 AM
Latest in Jeff Sessions
FISA Reform
Coats and Sessions Call for Reauthorization of FISA Title VII Without Sunset
Matthew Kahn Mon, Sep 11, 2017, 5:40 PM
Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats sent a letter to the congressional leadership on Monday calling for a reauthorization of FISA Title VII, including Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act. Among their comments, they request reauthorization "without amendment beyond removing the sunset provision, to avoid any interruption in our use of these authorities to protect the American people." The full letter is included below.
The Russia Connection
A Few Words in Defense of Resignation
Benjamin Wittes Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 8:00 AM
Last week, after the President took the opportunity of an interview with the New York Times to attack the Department of Justice’s leadership, I suggested that Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein should jointly resign.
Podcasts
The National Security Law Podcast: The North Remembers…the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998???
Robert Chesney, Steve Vladeck Tue, Jul 25, 2017, 6:17 PM
In this week’s episode, Professors Chesney and Vladeck focus on two subjects: the extradition of Ali Damache and what it might portend for Trump administration counterterrorism policy, and the slate of issues surrounding the potential removal of Attorney General Sessions.
The Russia Connection
Is There A Perjury Case Against Sessions?
Helen Klein Murillo, Steve Vladeck Mon, Jul 24, 2017, 11:36 AM
On Friday, the Washington Post reported that U.S. intelligence activities intercepted communications between Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and Moscow in which Kislyak recounts conversations with then-Senator Jeff Sessions during 2016 about matters relating to the Trump campaign.
Donald Trump
The President vs. Federal Law Enforcement: Trump Attacks Everyone
Benjamin Wittes Thu, Jul 20, 2017, 8:17 AM
President Trump yesterday issued a stunning vote of no-confidence in basically everyone currently in a leadership position in the Justice Department, the FBI, or the special counsel’s office—in other words, not just some federal law enforcement, but all of it.
Executive Privilege
Primer on Executive Privilege and the Executive Branch Approach to Congressional Oversight
John E. Bies Fri, Jun 16, 2017, 8:30 AM
Over the past two weeks, the nation has been absorbed by congressional testimony that has brought the issue of executive privilege into the spotlight. Former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey, answered questions regarding his private conversations with President Donald Trump, while Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, and Admiral Michael Rogers each have declined to do so.
Podcasts
Rational Security: Jeff Sessions Testifies
Benjamin Wittes Thu, Jun 15, 2017, 5:22 AM
Attorney General Jeff Sessions testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee about his contacts with Russia. New information shows that thirty-nine states were targeted by Russian hackers during the 2016 election. And President Trump gives the military authority to ramp the number of troops in Afghanistan. Plus, my long-time alter ego, Benjamin Sittes, makes an appearance on the show. And the gang says thanks to our super fans.
Podcasts
The Lawfare Podcast, Special Edition: Sessions Versus the Committee with No Bull
Benjamin Wittes Tue, Jun 13, 2017, 10:40 PM
Attorney General Jeff Sessions faced questioning from the Senate Intelligence Committee today. He answered questions on his recusal, on his role in James Comey's firing, on his disputed conversation with the former FBI Director, and on his meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. He also declined to answer a lot of questions about his conversations with President Trump—without an assertion of executive privilege.
We stripped out all the extraneous material, leaving just the questions and answers: no repetition, no senatorial speechifying.
The Russia Connection
Liveblog: Jeff Sessions Testifies Before Senate Intelligence Committee
Jane Chong, Quinta Jurecic Tue, Jun 13, 2017, 2:00 PM
Today at 2:30 PM Attorney General Jeff Sessions will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee. He will answer questions about the FBI's ongoing Russia probe and is expected to respond to former FBI Director James Comey's testimony last week.
Follow the livestream here and keep up with our liveblog below.
Committee Chairman Richard Burr's opening statement is available here.