Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he told Sen. Mark Warner (D., Va.), the committee's ranking member, that he would not take action to fire special counsel Robert Mueller.
Warner referenced NewsMax Media CEO Chris Ruddy's PBS interview on Monday in which he said that President Donald Trump is "considering" firing Mueller, who the Justice Department appointed to head the Russia investigation. Warner then asked Sessions whether he had confidence in Mueller's ability to conduct the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election fairly.
"Well, first I don't know about these reports and have no basis to ascertain their validity," Sessions said. "I have known Mr. Mueller over the years. He served 12 years as a FBI director. I knew him before that and I have confidence in Mr. Mueller, but I'm not going to discuss any hypotheticals or what might be a factual situation in the future that I'm not aware today."
Warner then asked Sessions whether Trump has confidence in Mueller to conduct the investigation.
"I have no idea. I've not talked to him about it," Sessions said.
"Would you commit to this committee not to take any personal actions that might result in Director Mueller's firing or dismissal?" Warner asked.
Sessions said that he could commit to his request with "confidence" since he recused himself from the Russia investigation.