Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday responded to public criticism from President Donald Trump, saying that he believes he made the right decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson asked Sessions in El Salvador about his decision to recuse himself from the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election, which prompted Trump's public rebukes of him.
"I understand his feelings about it because this 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 am confident I made the right decision. The decision is consistent for the rule of law. An attorney general who doesn't follow the law is not very effective in leading the Department of Justice."
"So, I think, with 15 years in that department, having served in that great department, knowing the integrity that is required of the attorney general, I believe I made the right decision," Sessions added.
Carlson asked Sessions if he planned to stay in his position. Sessions said he would unless Trump asked him to resign.
Sessions also said that great progress has been made since he took over the Department of Justice and trumpeted the anti-gang work under his tenure.