President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general strove at his confirmation Tuesday to assert his independence from the White House, saying he believed Russia had interfered with the 2016 presidential election, that a special counsel investigation shadowing Trump needs to move forward and that his predecessor made the correct call by recusing from the probe.

Those comments departed from Trump's own views and underscored Barr's efforts to reassure Democrats that he will not be a loyalist to a president who has appeared to demand it from law enforcement.

Trump has repeatedly castigated special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, calling it a "witch hunt," and lambasted and ultimately pushed out his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, for his recusal because of his work with the campaign.

"I will not be bullied into doing anything that I think is wrong, whether it be by editorial boards, Congress or the president," Barr said.

Barr repeatedly praised Mueller, who has been investigating whether the Trump campaign coordinated with the Kremlin to sway the election, and sought to provide assurance he would not undermine his work. He called him a friend of 30 years and saying he couldn't imagine that Mueller would do anything that would justify his firing.

Barr would oversee the final stages of the investigation, and said that though he would consult with ethics officials on whether he would need to recuse because of a critical unsolicited memo to the Justice Department last year, the decision would be ultimately his.

He also disclosed having discussed Mueller with Trump during a meeting in 2017 when Barr declined to join his legal team.

Trump wanted to know what Mueller, who worked for Barr when he led the Justice Department between 1991 and 1993, was like.

Barr said he told Trump Mueller "is a straight shooter and should be dealt with as such."

The nominee also said former FBI Director James Comey made the wrong decision by holding a news conference announcing he wasn't recommending charges in the Hillary Clinton email investigation.

Barr said if authorities aren't going to bring charges, then there should not be a news conference to detail derogatory information uncovered during the probe. Comey has defended his decision.

"That's not the way the Department of Justice does business," Barr said.

POOL

Washington, DC - 15 January 2019

1. Wide side shot of Barr testifying at confirmation hearing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I have a very good life. I love it, but I also want to help in this circumstance and I am not going to do anything that I think is wrong and I will not be bullied into doing anything I think is wrong by anybody, whether it be editorial boards or Congress or the president. I'm going to do what I think is right."

3. Cutaway of committee members

4. Cutaway of Sen. Lindsey Graham

5. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"It was a very brief meeting where essentially the president wanted to know, he said, 'Oh, you know Bob Mueller. How well do you know Bob Mueller?' And I told him how well I knew Bob Mueller and how you know the Barrs and Muellers were good friends and would be good friends when this is all over and so forth. And he was interested in that, wanted to know you know what I thought about, you know, Mueller's integrity and so forth and so on. And I said Bob is a, is a straight shooter and should be dealt with as such. And he said something to the effect like, 'So are you envisioning some role here?' And I said, 'No actually, Mr. President, right now I couldn't do it. You know, I just, my personal and my professional obligations are such that I'm unable to do it.' So he asked me for my phone number, I gave it to him and I never heard from him again until..."

6. Wide shot of hearing

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, Democrat, Vermont:

"So will you commit, if confirmed, to both seeking and following the advice of the department's career ethics officials on whether you must recuse from the special counsel's investigation?"

8. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I will seek the advice of the career ethics personnel. But under the regulations, I make the decision as the head of the agency as to my own recusal. So, I certainly would consult with them and at the end of the day, I would make a decision in good faith based on the laws and the facts that are evident at that time."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, Democrat, Vermont:

"Are there any circumstances that would cause you to terminate the investigation, a component of or significantly restricted funding?"

10. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Under the under the regulations, Bob Mueller could only be terminated for good cause and I frankly, it's unimaginable to me that Bob would ever do anything that gave rise to good cause. But in theory, if something happened that was good cause, for me it would actually take more than that, it would have to be pretty grave and the public interest would essentially have to compel it. Because I believe right now the overarching public interest is to allow him to finish."

11. Wide shot of hearing

12. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I think Jim Comey is, as I've said, is an extremely gifted man who's served the country with distinction in many roles. But I thought that to the extent he, he actually announced a decision, was wrong. And the other thing is if you're not going to indict someone then you don't stand up there and unload negative information about the person. That's not the way the Department of Justice does business."

13. Wide shot of hearing

President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general continued efforts to distance himself from the president Tuesday as he testified before Senators at his confirmation hearing.

Under questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee, William Barr said he would not "not carry out" any order to fire special counsel Robert Mueller without cause.

The comments were in response to a question from Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware.

Mueller's team is examining potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign. Barr said repeatedly Tuesday he wants Mueller to finish the investigation.

Trump's nominee was also asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is a friend or a foe to the United States.

Barr said while Russia is a "potent rival" of the U.S. with foreign policy objectives "usually at direct contrary," he minimized the threat from Moscow and said China, not Russia is the "primary rival" of the United States.

Throughout his testimony, Barr acknowledged Russian attempts to meddle in the 2016 election but said Russia "is half the size it was was" during the Cold War with an economy nowhere near the size of China's.

And he said he's concerned "that the fixation on Russia not obscure the danger from China."

On a separate topic, Barr told the committee he can't rule out jailing reporters for doing their jobs.

In  response to a question from Sen. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, Barr said that there are certain situations where a reporter could be held in contempt "as a last resort."

Barr said the situations he was envisioning would involve news organizations "putting out stuff that is hurting the country."

POOL

Washington, DC - 15 January 2019

1. Wide shot of William Barr sitting before the Senate Judiciary Committee as it returns from break

2. Wide cutaway of committee

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chris Coons, Democrat, Delaware:

"So most famously when directed by President Nixon to fire the special counsel the prosecutor investigating Watergate, Richardson refused and resigned instead as we all well know. If the president directed you to change those regulations and then fire Mueller or simply directly fire Mueller, would you follow Richardson's example and resign instead?"

4. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Assuming there was no good cause?

(Coons: Assuming no good cause.)

I would not carry out that instruction."

5. Cutaway of Coons

6. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"As I said, I'm going to carry out those regulations and I want him to finish this investigation."

7. Wide shot of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Well I don't hold myself out as a foreign policy expert but I think that he is, I think the Russians are a potent rival of our country and his foreign policy objectives are usually at directly contrary to our goals. I think he wants to weaken the American alliances in Europe and he also wants to become a player in the Middle East, more of a player in the Middle East. A lot of his foreign policy objectives are are at odds with ours. At the same time, I think the primary rival of the United States is China. I think, you know, Russia is half the size it was when we were facing them at the peak of the Cold War. Their economy is, long term prognosis, is nowhere near China's. But I'm concerned that the fixation on Russia not obscure the danger from China."

9. Wide shot of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Democrat, Minnesota:

"If you're confirmed, will the Justice Department jail reporters for doing their jobs?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I think that, you know, there are guidelines in place and I can conceive of situations where you know, as a last resort and where a news organization has run through a red flag or something like that, knows that they're putting out stuff that will hurt the country, there might be, there could be a situation where someone would be held in contempt."

12. Wide shot of hearing

President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general continued efforts to distance himself from the president Tuesday as he testified before Senators at his confirmation hearing.

Under questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee, William Barr said he would not "not carry out" any order to fire special counsel Robert Mueller without cause.

The comments were in response to a question from Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware.

Mueller's team is examining potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign. Barr said repeatedly Tuesday he wants Mueller to finish the investigation.

Trump's nominee was also asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is a friend or a foe to the United States.

Barr said while Russia is a "potent rival" of the U.S. with foreign policy objectives "usually at direct contrary," he minimized the threat from Moscow and said China, not Russia is the "primary rival" of the United States.

Throughout his testimony, Barr acknowledged Russian attempts to meddle in the 2016 election but said Russia "is half the size it was was" during the Cold War with an economy nowhere near the size of China's.

And he said he's concerned "that the fixation on Russia not obscure the danger from China."

On a separate topic, Barr told the committee he can't rule out jailing reporters for doing their jobs.

In  response to a question from Sen. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, Barr said that there are certain situations where a reporter could be held in contempt "as a last resort."

Barr said the situations he was envisioning would involve news organizations "putting out stuff that is hurting the country."

POOL

Washington, DC - 15 January 2019

1. Wide shot of William Barr sitting before the Senate Judiciary Committee as it returns from break

2. Wide cutaway of committee

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chris Coons, Democrat, Delaware:

"So most famously when directed by President Nixon to fire the special counsel the prosecutor investigating Watergate, Richardson refused and resigned instead as we all well know. If the president directed you to change those regulations and then fire Mueller or simply directly fire Mueller, would you follow Richardson's example and resign instead?"

4. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Assuming there was no good cause?

(Coons: Assuming no good cause.)

I would not carry out that instruction."

5. Cutaway of Coons

6. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"As I said, I'm going to carry out those regulations and I want him to finish this investigation."

7. Wide shot of hearing

8. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Well I don't hold myself out as a foreign policy expert but I think that he is, I think the Russians are a potent rival of our country and his foreign policy objectives are usually at directly contrary to our goals. I think he wants to weaken the American alliances in Europe and he also wants to become a player in the Middle East, more of a player in the Middle East. A lot of his foreign policy objectives are are at odds with ours. At the same time, I think the primary rival of the United States is China. I think, you know, Russia is half the size it was when we were facing them at the peak of the Cold War. Their economy is, long term prognosis, is nowhere near China's. But I'm concerned that the fixation on Russia not obscure the danger from China."

9. Wide shot of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Democrat, Minnesota:

"If you're confirmed, will the Justice Department jail reporters for doing their jobs?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I think that, you know, there are guidelines in place and I can conceive of situations where you know, as a last resort and where a news organization has run through a red flag or something like that, knows that they're putting out stuff that will hurt the country, there might be, there could be a situation where someone would be held in contempt."

12. Wide shot of hearing

After nearly two years of waiting, America is about to get some answers straight from Robert Mueller- but not before President Donald Trump's attorney general has his say.

Attorney General William Barr says he will give Congress a redacted copy of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigative report at 11 a.m. EST

He told reporters at the Justice Department that he would transmit to Congress copies of the public version of Mueller's investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 election and President Donald Trump's campaign.

Democrats complained that Barr's news conference was an effort to influence reaction to the report ahead of its release.

The Justice Department on Thursday is expected to release a redacted version of the special counsel's report on Russian election interference and the Trump campaign, opening up months, if not years, of fights over what the document means in a deeply divided country.

Even the planned release of the nearly 400-page report quickly spiraled into a political battle Wednesday over whether Attorney General William Barr is attempting to shield the president who appointed him and spin the report's findings before the American people can read it and come to their own judgments.

Trump himself was in a high state of alert ahead of the report's release.

He repeated what has become a near daily refrain of criticism of the Russia investigation using his favored Twitter account. "PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!" he wrote.

POOL

Washington - 18 April 2019

1. Side view Attorney General William Barr walks into news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) William Barr, Attorney General:

"As you know one of the primary purposes of the special, special counsel's investigation was to determine whether President Trump's campaign or any individual associated with it conspired or coordinated with the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 election. Volume 1 of the special counsel's report describes the results of that investigation. As you will see the special counsel's report states that his quote investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. I am sure that all Americans share my concern about the efforts of the Russian government to interfere in our presidential election. As the Special Counsel report makes clear, the Russian government sought to interfere in our election process. But thanks to the special counsel's thorough investigation we now know that the Russian operatives who perpetrated these schemes did not have the cooperation of President Trump or the Trump campaign or the knowing assistance of any other American for that matter. That is something that all Americans can and should be grateful to have confirmed."

3. Cutaway Barr speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) William Barr, Attorney General:

"The special counsel report outlines two main efforts by the Russian government to influence the 2016 election first the report details efforts by the Internet Research Agency, a Russian company with close ties to the Russian government, to sow social discord among American voters through disinformation and social media operations following a thorough investigation of this disinformation campaign, the special counsel brought charges in federal court against several Russian nationals and entities for their respective roles in this scheme. Those charges remain pending and the individual defendants remain at large but the special counsel found no evidence that any American, including anyone associated with the Trump campaign, conspired or coordinated with the Russian government or the IRA in this illegal scheme. "

After nearly two years of waiting, America is about to get some answers straight from Robert Mueller- but not before President Donald Trump's attorney general has his say.

Attorney General William Barr says he will give Congress a redacted copy of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigative report at 11 a.m. EST

He told reporters at the Justice Department that he would transmit to Congress copies of the public version of Mueller's investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 election and President Donald Trump's campaign.

Democrats complained that Barr's news conference was an effort to influence reaction to the report ahead of its release.

The Justice Department on Thursday is expected to release a redacted version of the special counsel's report on Russian election interference and the Trump campaign, opening up months, if not years, of fights over what the document means in a deeply divided country.

Even the planned release of the nearly 400-page report quickly spiraled into a political battle Wednesday over whether Attorney General William Barr is attempting to shield the president who appointed him and spin the report's findings before the American people can read it and come to their own judgments.

Trump himself was in a high state of alert ahead of the report's release.

He repeated what has become a near daily refrain of criticism of the Russia investigation using his favored Twitter account. "PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!" he wrote.

POOL

Washington - 18 April 2019

1. Side view Attorney General William Barr walks into news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) William Barr, Attorney General:

SOUNDBITE (English)

"As you know on March 22nd, Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded his investigation into matters related to Russian attempts to interfere in our 2016 presidential election. And he submitted his confidential report to me pursuant to department regulations. As I said during my Senate confirmation hearing, and since, I'm committed to ensuring the greatest degree possible of transparency concerning the special counsel's investigation, consistent with the law. At 11:00 this morning I'm going to transmit copies of the public version of the special counsel's report to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House judiciary committees. The Department of Justice will also make the report available to the American people by posting it on the department's website after it has been delivered to Congress."

3. Cutaway Barr speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) William Barr, Attorney General:

"As you know one of the primary purposes of the special, special counsel's investigation was to determine whether President Trump's campaign or any individual associated with it conspired or coordinated with the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 election. Volume 1 of the special counsel's report describes the results of that investigation. As you will see the special counsel's report states that his quote investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. I am sure that all Americans share my concern about the efforts of the Russian government to interfere in our presidential election. As the Special Counsel report makes clear, the Russian government sought to interfere in our election process. But thanks to the special counsel's thorough investigation we now know that the Russian operatives who perpetrated these schemes did not have the cooperation of President Trump or the Trump campaign or the knowing assistance of any other American for that matter. That is something that all Americans can and should be grateful to have confirmed."

5. Cutaway Barr speaking

6. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) William Barr, Attorney General:

"The special counsel report outlines two main efforts by the Russian government to influence the 2016 election. First the report details efforts by the Internet Research Agency, a Russian company with close ties to the Russian government, to sow social discord among American voters through disinformation and social media operations. Following a thorough investigation of this disinformation campaign, the special counsel brought charges in federal court against several Russian nationals and entities for their respective roles in this scheme. Those charges remain pending and the individual defendants remain at large. But the special counsel found no evidence that any American, including anyone associated with the Trump campaign, conspired or coordinated with the Russian government or the IRA in this illegal scheme. "

7. Side, Barr speaking

After nearly two years of waiting, America is about to get some answers straight from Robert Mueller- but not before President Donald Trump's attorney general has his say.

Attorney General William Barr says he will give Congress a redacted copy of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigative report at 11 a.m. EST

He told reporters at the Justice Department that he would transmit to Congress copies of the public version of Mueller's investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 election and President Donald Trump's campaign.

Democrats complained that Barr's news conference was an effort to influence reaction to the report ahead of its release.

The Justice Department on Thursday is expected to release a redacted version of the special counsel's report on Russian election interference and the Trump campaign, opening up months, if not years, of fights over what the document means in a deeply divided country.

Even the planned release of the nearly 400-page report quickly spiraled into a political battle Wednesday over whether Attorney General William Barr is attempting to shield the president who appointed him and spin the report's findings before the American people can read it and come to their own judgments.

Trump himself was in a high state of alert ahead of the report's release.

He repeated what has become a near daily refrain of criticism of the Russia investigation using his favored Twitter account. "PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!" he wrote.

POOL

Washington - 18 April 2019

1. Side view Attorney General William Barr walks into news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) William Barr, Attorney General:

SOUNDBITE (English)

"As you know on March 22nd, Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded his investigation into matters related to Russian attempts to interfere in our 2016 presidential election. And he submitted his confidential report to me pursuant to department regulations. As I said during my Senate confirmation hearing, and since, I'm committed to ensuring the greatest degree possible of transparency concerning the special counsel's investigation, consistent with the law.  At 11:00 this morning I'm going to transmit copies of the public version of the special counsel's report to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House judiciary committees. The Department of Justice will also make the report available to the American people by posting it on the department's website after it has been delivered to Congress."

3. Cutaway Barr speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) William Barr, Attorney General:

"As you know one of the primary purposes of the special, special counsel's investigation was to determine whether President Trump's campaign or any individual associated with it conspired or coordinated with the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 election. Volume 1 of the special counsel's report describes the results of that investigation.  As you will see the special counsel's report states that his quote investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. I am sure that all Americans share my concern about the efforts of the Russian government to interfere in our presidential election.  As the Special Counsel report makes clear, the Russian government sought to interfere in our election process. But thanks to the special counsel's thorough investigation we now know that the Russian operatives who perpetrated these schemes did not have the cooperation of President Trump or the Trump campaign or the knowing assistance of any other American for that matter. That is something that all Americans can and should be grateful to have confirmed."

5. Cutaway Barr speaking

6. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) William Barr, Attorney General:

"The special counsel report outlines two main efforts by the Russian government to influence the 2016 election. First the report details efforts by the Internet Research Agency, a Russian company with close ties to the Russian government, to sow social discord among American voters through disinformation and social media operations. Following a thorough investigation of this disinformation campaign, the special counsel brought charges in federal court against several Russian nationals and entities for their respective roles in this scheme. Those charges remain pending and the individual defendants remain at large. But the special counsel found no evidence that any American, including anyone associated with the Trump campaign, conspired or coordinated with the Russian government or the IRA in this illegal scheme. "

7. Side, Barr speaking

President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general strove at his confirmation Tuesday to assert his independence from the White House, saying he believed Russia had interfered with the 2016 presidential election, that a special counsel investigation shadowing Trump needs to move forward and that his predecessor made the correct call by recusing from the probe.

Those comments departed from Trump's own views and underscored Barr's efforts to reassure Democrats that he will not be a loyalist to a president who has appeared to demand it from law enforcement.

Trump has repeatedly castigated special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, calling it a "witch hunt," and lambasted and ultimately pushed out his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, for his recusal because of his work with the campaign.

"I will not be bullied into doing anything that I think is wrong, whether it be by editorial boards, Congress or the president," Barr said.

Barr repeatedly praised Mueller, who has been investigating whether the Trump campaign coordinated with the Kremlin to sway the election, and sought to provide assurance he would not undermine his work. He called him a friend of 30 years and saying he couldn't imagine that Mueller would do anything that would justify his firing.

Barr would oversee the final stages of the investigation, and said that though he would consult with ethics officials on whether he would need to recuse because of a critical unsolicited memo to the Justice Department last year, the decision would be ultimately his.

He also disclosed having discussed Mueller with Trump during a meeting in 2017 when Barr declined to join his legal team.

Trump wanted to know what Mueller, who worked for Barr when he led the Justice Department between 1991 and 1993, was like.

Barr said he told Trump Mueller "is a straight shooter and should be dealt with as such."

The nominee also said former FBI Director James Comey made the wrong decision by holding a news conference announcing he wasn't recommending charges in the Hillary Clinton email investigation.

Barr said if authorities aren't going to bring charges, then there should not be a news conference to detail derogatory information uncovered during the probe. Comey has defended his decision.

"That's not the way the Department of Justice does business," Barr said.

POOL

Washington, DC - 15 January 2019

1. Wide side shot of Barr testifying at confirmation hearing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I have a very good life. I love it, but I also want to help in this circumstance and I am not going to do anything that I think is wrong and I will not be bullied into doing anything I think is wrong by anybody, whether it be editorial boards or Congress or the president. I'm going to do what I think is right."

3. Cutaway of committee members

4. Cutaway of Sen. Lindsey Graham

5. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"It was a very brief meeting where essentially the president wanted to know, he said, 'Oh, you know Bob Mueller. How well do you know Bob Mueller?' And I told him how well I knew Bob Mueller and how you know the Barrs and Muellers were good friends and would be good friends when this is all over and so forth. And he was interested in that, wanted to know you know what I thought about, you know, Mueller's integrity and so forth and so on. And I said Bob is a, is a straight shooter and should be dealt with as such. And he said something to the effect like, 'So are you envisioning some role here?' And I said, 'No actually, Mr. President, right now I couldn't do it. You know, I just, my personal and my professional obligations are such that I'm unable to do it.' So he asked me for my phone number, I gave it to him and I never heard from him again until..."

6. Wide shot of hearing

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, Democrat, Vermont:

"So will you commit, if confirmed, to both seeking and following the advice of the department's career ethics officials on whether you must recuse from the special counsel's investigation?"

8. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I will seek the advice of the career ethics personnel. But under the regulations, I make the decision as the head of the agency as to my own recusal. So, I certainly would consult with them and at the end of the day, I would make a decision in good faith based on the laws and the facts that are evident at that time."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, Democrat, Vermont:

"Are there any circumstances that would cause you to terminate the investigation, a component of or significantly restricted funding?"

10. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Under the under the regulations, Bob Mueller could only be terminated for good cause and I frankly, it's unimaginable to me that Bob would ever do anything that gave rise to good cause. But in theory, if something happened that was good cause, for me it would actually take more than that, it would have to be pretty grave and the public interest would essentially have to compel it. Because I believe right now the overarching public interest is to allow him to finish."

11. Wide shot of hearing

12. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I think Jim Comey is, as I've said, is an extremely gifted man who's served the country with distinction in many roles. But I thought that to the extent he, he actually announced a decision, was wrong. And the other thing is if you're not going to indict someone then you don't stand up there and unload negative information about the person. That's not the way the Department of Justice does business."

13. Wide shot of hearing

Seeking a bipartisan compromise to avoid a government shutdown, President Donald Trump suggested on January 9th 2018 that an immigration deal could be reached in two phases - first by addressing young immigrants and border security with what he called a "bill of love," then by making comprehensive changes that have long eluded Congress.

Trump held a lengthy meeting with Republican and Democratic lawmakers seeking a solution for hundreds of thousands of young people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

In 2017 Trump ended the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which shielded more than 700,000 people from deportation and gave then the right to work legally in the country. He gave Congress until March to find a fix.

The president, congressional Republicans and Democrats expressed optimism for a deal just 10 days before a government shutdown deadline. Trump expressed a willingness to be flexible in finding an agreement.

Trump told the bipartisan group of 20 lawmakers that if they reach a deal, he will sign it.

A group of journalists observed the meandering meeting for an extraordinary length of time - about 55 minutes - that involved Trump seeking input from Democrats and Republicans alike in a freewheeling exchange on the contentious issue.

The president said he would insist on construction of a border security wall as part of an agreement involving young immigrants, but he said Congress could then pursue a comprehensive immigration overhaul in the second phase.

House Republicans said they planned to soon introduce legislation to address border security and the young immigrants. Trump said, "it should be a bill of love."

***

President Donald Trump denied January 12th via Twitter that he said anything "derogatory about Haitians" during an immigration meeting at the White House on Thursday, as the country and the world continued to express outrage over his reported comments.

Trump was in a closed meeting with members of Congress to discuss immigration on January 11th when he reportedly questioned why the U.S. would accept more people from Haiti and "shithole countries" in Africa, rather than places like Norway.

At first the White House did not deny that the remark was made. On Friday the president tweeted that his language was "tough" but insisted he did not say anything derogatory about Haitians aside from noting it's a poor country.

Associated Press White House reporter Jonathan Lemire said no one at the White House denied "that he used these vulgar terms to describe these immigrants."

on January 12th Trump took to Twitter to say the language he used at the meeting "was tough," but insisted the words being reported "was not the language used."

He also denied saying "anything derogatory about Haitians other than" that Haiti is "a very poor and troubled country."

***

After President Trump made disparaging remarks about immigrants, some members of the Haitian communities in New York and Florida said they were offended and believed his comments were racist.

President Donald Trump on January 12th questioned why the U.S. would accept more immigrants from "shithole countries" after senators discussed revamping rules affecting those from Africa and Haiti, according to people briefed on the conversation.

Haitians in New York and South Florida reacted negatively to the remarks.

"His comment is divisive. It's un-American. It's extremely offensive. I was reading the Daily News earlier this morning. Actually they could not have said it any better," said Gerald Cajust, referring to a crude depiction of the President on the front page of the New York Daily News.

In North Miami Beach, Florida, hosts at a Haitian-American radio studio, said although they were disappointed in Trump's comments, they believed Haitian leaders were also to blame for the country's economic situation.

Fabiola Charles, a Haitian radio personality with WSRF AM, said "we're looking at ourselves as well and saying you know what, if we took time to actually take care of our people, the president wouldn't have to say something like this about us. So, we also put the blame on us."

***

US President Donald Trump said on January 14th he is not a racist, just days after making controversial comments about Haiti and African countries.

Trump has been accused of using a vulgar word to describe African countries during an Oval Office meeting the previous week with a bipartisan group of six senators.

People briefed on the conversation say that during the meeting the president also questioned the need to admit more Haitians to the US.

The individuals spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to describe the meeting publicly.

Trump addressed the issue briefly on Sunday as he arrived for dinner at one of his Florida golf clubs with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California.

Asked what he thinks about people who think he's racist, Trump said: "I am not a racist". He told reporters: "I am the least racist person you have ever interviewed. That I can tell you."

He also praised authorities in Hawaii for taking responsibility for the blunder that caused more than a million people to fear that they were about to be struck by a nuclear missile.

***

Haitians showed their anger over vulgar comments made against their country and Africa by US President Donald Trump with a protest January 18th outside the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince.

Demonstrators gathered outside the gates of the embassy complex chanting slogans and waving signs denouncing Trump over his remarks and a move to end a program that gave temporary legal status to thousands of Haitians in the US.

Signs and Creole chants by the protesters criticised remarks by the president last week in which he is said to have profanely disparaged African countries and asked why the US would want more Haitians.

The protest by fewer than 100 demonstrators was peaceful and ended without incident.

Another demonstration was planned for next week.

The Haitian government said it was shocked by the remarks, which came on the eve of the anniversary of the country's devastating January 2010 earthquake.

The Trump administration has said that about 60,000 Haitians who have been allowed to stay and work in the US since the earthquake must leave the country in July 2019.

***

A former top adviser to President Donald Trump's election campaign pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and false statements charges February 23rd in the special counsel's Russia investigation.

The plea by Rick Gates is a strong indication that he is planning to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation as it continues to probe the Trump campaign, Russian election interference and Gates' longtime business associate, Paul Manafort.

Gates, 45, of Richmond, Virginia, appeared at the federal courthouse in Washington for his plea agreement hearing.

A court filing shows Gates has agreed to plead to charges accusing him of conspiring against the U.S. government related to fraud and unregistered foreign lobbying as well as lying to federal authorities in a recent interview.

Gates' decision to admit to the crimes comes a day after a federal grand jury in Virginia returned a 32-count indictment against him and Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, accusing them of tax evasion and bank fraud.

The indictment in Virginia was the second round of charges against Gates and against Manafort, who has denied any wrongdoing. The two men were initially charged last October with unregistered lobbying and conspiring to launder millions of dollars they earned while working on behalf of a pro-Russian Ukrainian political party.

Gates' decision marks the fifth publicly known guilty plea in the special counsel probe into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin during the 2016 campaign.

***

America's top diplomat is one of any White House's highest-level cabinet members, often seated at the right hand of the president.

As a newcomer to Washington politics, former Exxon Mobile CEO Rex Tillerson was tasked with steering the ship of state with no foreign policy experience and needed to navigate a turbulent, frequently contradictory White House.

As he stepped into the State Department for the first time, Secretary of State Tillerson appealed for unity.

"I know this was a hotly-contested election and we do not all feel the same way about the outcome, " he said, adding "we cannot let our personal convictions overwhelm our ability to work as one team."

But as Tillerson neared the six-month mark on the job, he was forced to knock down a flurry of speculation that he was unhappy and may quit.

At the time, Washington was buzzing with rumors that he would leave due to frustration with the White House.

In his first appearance in the State Department briefing room, Tillerson reiterated that he had a good relationship with the president.

While Tillerson was redefining foreign strategy under the Trump administration's overarching police of "America First", his efforts to craft coherent policy were frequently upended by a tweeting boss.

By October 2017, Tillerson was forced in an unscheduled news conference held at the State Department to defend remarks he made in the Pentagon earlier that President Trump was, "a moron."

In response, Trump said in an interview published in Forbes magazine that if Rex Tillerson did call him a moron, the two should "compare IQ tests."

The White House later said that Trump was joking when he appeared to question his secretary of state's intelligence.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that the president "never implied that the secretary of state was not incredibly intelligent."

She says: "He made a joke, no more than that."

From the start of his tenure, Tillerson's selection raised potential conflict-of-interest issues, as Exxon's business interests around the globe, included Russia.

As an oil executive, Tillerson had argued against sanctions that the U.S. and European allies imposed on Russia after it annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.

***

President Donald Trump says he has "total confidence" in Mike Pompeo, his new pick for Secretary of State.

Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on March 13th, saying he would nominate CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace him.

It's a major staff reshuffle just as Trump dives into high-stakes talks with North Korea.

Trump announced the change in a tweet early on March 13th just four hours after Tillerson returned to Washington from a trip to Africa.

He stopped to take questions from reporters at the South Lawn of the White House about his decision to oust Tillerson and replace him with Pompeo.

Trump said he and Tillerson "disagreed on things" like the Iran deal.

"We were not really thinking the same," Trump said about Tillerson. "With Mike Pompeo, we have a very similar thought process. I think it's going to go very well."

***

CBS says it will air its interview with porn actress Stormy Daniels on March 25th's episode of "60 Minutes."

Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, has said she had sex with Donald Trump before he became president. She has been trying to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement she signed days before the 2016 presidential election so she can discuss her relationship with Trump, which she said began in 2006 and continued for about a year.

CNN anchor and "60 Minutes" correspondent Anderson Cooper recorded the interview with Clifford earlier this month.

Clifford's attorney, Michael Avenatti, told The Associated Press on March 21st that more details of the affair would come out on "60 Minutes," and said his office was checking out similar claims from six women who had come forward.

"This is about this woman wanting to be able to tell her story to the American people, tell her version of the facts" said Avenatti.

00:00:00

Trump wants immigration deal to be 'bill of love'

4134075

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington DC - 9 January 2018

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

" This should be a bill of love, truly it should be a bill of love. And we can do that. But it also has to be a bill where we're able to secure our border. Drugs are pouring into our country at a record pace. "

00:13:18

Trump Pushes Back on Vulgar Comments About Haiti

4134641

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Port au Prince, Haiti - 21 November, 2017

2. Shots of people walking, traffic in Haitian street

Johannesburg - 12 January 2018

3. Shot of people walking on the street in Johannesburg

00:23:03

Haitians In US offended by comments attributed to Trump

4134647

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York - January 12, 2018

4. Wide of Haitian American advocacy group storefront

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Herold Dasque, Haitian Americans United for Progress

"It's beyond racism. Of course he's a racist. He's going to say 'no I'm not racist.' What kind of statement is that? 'I don't need Haitians.' Economically they are the one working in the garden. "

6. Interior of barber shop

00:40:21

President Trump: "I'm Not a Racist"

4134855

POOL

West Palm Beach - 14 January 2018

++AUDIO AS INCOMING++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"No, no, I'm not a racist. I am the least racist person you have ever interviewed, that I can tell you."

00:47:21

Protesters in Haiti condemn Trump remarks

4135616

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Port-au-Prince - 18 January 2018

8. People protesting vulgar comments on Haiti and Africa by US President Donald Trump outside US embassy

9. Sign reading (English) "The U.S. has always been racist! Trump just said it out loud"

10. People holding signs during protest, one reading (English) "Donald Trump's racism is the true face of U.S. foreign policy."

00:57:20

Ex-Trump Aide Pleads Guilty in Russia Probe

4141338

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington - 23 February 2018

11. Wide shot of Rick Gates walking into US District Court

12. STILL PHOTO of Gates walking into court

13. Rick Gates and attorney walking out of court and getting into vehicle

01:10:17

Rex Tillerson: Businessman turned Trump diplomat out at the White House

4144029

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Various - Various

Washington, D.C. - 31 July 2017

14. Various, Cabinet Room meeting with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seated right of President Donald Trump

Washington, D.C. - 1 February 2017

15. Mid, Rex Tillerson being sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence

01:34:09

Trump: Pompeo Will be a Great Secretary of State

4144042

ASSOCIATED PRESS, POOL

Washington - 13 March 2018

16. President Donald Trump stops to speak with reporters on White House South Lawn

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) President Donald Trump:

"I've worked with Mike Pompeo now for quite some time -- tremendous energy, tremendous intellect. We're always on the same wavelength.

18. Wide of Trump

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) President Donald Trump:

"Rex and I've been talking about this for a long time. We've got a long actually quite well but we disagreed on things. When you look at the Iran deal: I think it's terrible. I guess he thought it was OK.

02:00:11

Lawyer: Trump should take Stormy Daniels very seriously

4145439

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Various - 19/21 March 2018/FILE

FILE: Los Angeles - 11 February 2007

20. STILL: Stormy Daniels

FILE: New Orleans, Louisiana - 6 May 2009

21. STILL of Stormy Daniels

22. SOUNDBITE (English): Michael Avenatti, Attorney for Stormy Daniels

"I don't know how serious they are taking us at this point. I think they're probably taking us more seriously today than they were a couple weeks ago. I'll say that. I'll say that they should be taking us very seriously."

President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general told senators Tuesday "it is vitally important" that special counsel Robert Mueller be allowed to complete his Russia investigation

William Barr said at his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing that it is in "the best interest of everyone...that this matter be resolved," adding, "the country needs a credible  resolution to these issues."

Barr said he believes Congress and the public must learn the results.

He also insisted that Trump never sought any promises, assurances or commitments before selecting him to be the country's chief law enforcement officer.

The top Democrat on the committee raised questions about a memo Barr wrote criticizing the Russia investigation and saying it showed a determine effort to undermine Bob Mueller.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said she's also troubled by Barr's expansive view of presidential powers since he will be overseeing the special counsel's investigation into whether President Donald Trump or his associates coordinated with Russian election interference.

Barr has defended the memo. He says it was narrowly focused on a single theory of obstruction and didn't touch the broader questions surrounding Russian election interference.

Barr revealed Monday that he had sent the memo to White House lawyers and lawyers for Trump.

POOL

Washington, DC - 15 January 2019

1. Various shots of William Barr approaching witness table

2. Shots of Barr taking oath before testimony

3. Cutaway of committee chairman, Senator Lindsey Graham

4. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"It is the attorney general's responsibility to enforce the law even handedly and with integrity. The attorney general must ensure that the administration of justice, the enforcement of the law is above and away from politics. Nothing could be more destructive of our system of government, of the rule of law or the Department of Justice as an institution than any toleration of political interference with the enforcement of the law."

5. Wide shot of Barr testifying

6. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"If confirmed, I will serve with the same independence I did in 1991. At that time when President Bush chose me, he sought no promises and asked only that his attorney general act with professionalism and integrity. Likewise President Trump has sought no assurances, promises or commitments from me of any kind, either express or implied, and I have not given him any other than that I would run the department with professionalism and integrity."

7. Cutaway of committee members

8. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I believe it is vitally important that the special counsel be allowed to complete his investigation. I have known Bob Mueller for 30 years. We worked closely together throughout my previous tenure at the Department of Justice. We've been friends since and I have the utmost respect for Bob and his distinguished record of public service. And when he was named special counsel I said his selection was good news and that knowing him, I had confidence he would handle the matter properly and I still have that confidence today. Given his public actions to date, I expect that the special counsel is well along in his investigation. At the same time, the president has been steadfast that he was not involved in any collusion with Russian attempts to interfere in the election. I believe it is in the best interests of everyone, the president, Congress and the American people, that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work. The country needs a credible resolution to these issues and if confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation. I will follow the special counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith and on my watch Bob will be allowed to finish his work."

9. Wide shot of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Democrat, California:

"Your memo also shows a large, sweeping view of presidential authority and a determined effort, I thought, to undermine Bob Mueller even though you state you have been friends and are in the dark about many of the facts of the investigation. So it does raise questions about your willingness to reach conclusions before knowing the facts and whether you prejudge the Mueller investigation and I hope you'll make that clear today. It also raises a number of serious questions about your views on executive authority and whether the president is in fact above the law."

11. Wide side shot of hearing

President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general told senators Tuesday "it is vitally important" that special counsel Robert Mueller be allowed to complete his Russia investigation

William Barr said at his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing that it is in "the best interest of everyone...that this matter be resolved," adding, "the country needs a credible  resolution to these issues."

Barr said he believes Congress and the public must learn the results.

He also insisted that Trump never sought any promises, assurances or commitments before selecting him to be the country's chief law enforcement officer.

The top Democrat on the committee raised questions about a memo Barr wrote criticizing the Russia investigation and saying it showed a determine effort to undermine Bob Mueller.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, said she's also troubled by Barr's expansive view of presidential powers since he will be overseeing the special counsel's investigation into whether President Donald Trump or his associates coordinated with Russian election interference.

Barr has defended the memo. He says it was narrowly focused on a single theory of obstruction and didn't touch the broader questions surrounding Russian election interference.

Barr revealed Monday that he had sent the memo to White House lawyers and lawyers for Trump.

POOL

Washington, DC - 15 January 2019

1. Various shots of William Barr approaching witness table

2. Shots of Barr taking oath before testimony

3. Cutaway of committee chairman, Senator Lindsey Graham

4. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"It is the attorney general's responsibility to enforce the law even handedly and with integrity. The attorney general must ensure that the administration of justice, the enforcement of the law is above and away from politics. Nothing could be more destructive of our system of government, of the rule of law or the Department of Justice as an institution than any toleration of political interference with the enforcement of the law."

5. Wide shot of Barr testifying

6. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"If confirmed, I will serve with the same independence I did in 1991. At that time when President Bush chose me, he sought no promises and asked only that his attorney general act with professionalism and integrity. Likewise President Trump has sought no assurances, promises or commitments from me of any kind, either express or implied, and I have not given him any other than that I would run the department with professionalism and integrity."

7. Cutaway of committee members

8. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I believe it is vitally important that the special counsel be allowed to complete his investigation. I have known Bob Mueller for 30 years. We worked closely together throughout my previous tenure at the Department of Justice. We've been friends since and I have the utmost respect for Bob and his distinguished record of public service. And when he was named special counsel I said his selection was good news and that knowing him, I had confidence he would handle the matter properly and I still have that confidence today. Given his public actions to date, I expect that the special counsel is well along in his investigation. At the same time, the president has been steadfast that he was not involved in any collusion with Russian attempts to interfere in the election. I believe it is in the best interests of everyone, the president, Congress and the American people, that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work. The country needs a credible resolution to these issues and if confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation. I will follow the special counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith and on my watch Bob will be allowed to finish his work."

9. Wide shot of hearing

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Democrat, California:

"Your memo also shows a large, sweeping view of presidential authority and a determined effort, I thought, to undermine Bob Mueller even though you state you have been friends and are in the dark about many of the facts of the investigation. So it does raise questions about your willingness to reach conclusions before knowing the facts and whether you prejudge the Mueller investigation and I hope you'll make that clear today. It also raises a number of serious questions about your views on executive authority and whether the president is in fact above the law."

11. Wide side shot of hearing

President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general says he doesn't believe special counsel Robert Mueller (MUHL'-ur) "would be involved in a witch hunt."

Barr made the comment Tuesday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Trump has repeatedly decried the special counsel's investigation as a "witch hunt" and has suggested he is being targeted by the Justice Department.

Mueller is investigating potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.

Barr also says it would be an "abuse of power" for Trump to intervene in an investigation he "has a stake in."

William Barr said Tuesday at his confirmation hearing he believes such an action would be a breach of the president's constitutional duties and could violate federal law depending upon the circumstances.

Barr was responding to questions from California Sen. Dianne Feinstein (FYN'-styn), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, in light of a memo he wrote criticizing special counsel Robert Mueller's obstruction-of-justice investigation.

Barr has said the memo was intended to be narrowly focused on one of Mueller's reported interpretations of obstruction. Barr also says his memo was based solely on public reporting and not any confidential information.

POOL

Washington - 15 January 2018

1. Wide of hearing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Are you familiar with the January 11th New York Times article about FBI open inquiry into whether Trump was secretly working on behalf of Russians."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee (off camera):

"Yes Mr. Chairman."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Would you promise me and this committee to look into this and tell us whether or not, in the appropriate way, a counterintelligence investigation was opened up by somebody at the FBI slash Department of Justice against President Trump."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Yes, Mr. Chairman. I think there were a number of investigations as I understand it going on in the department."

6.  SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina (off camera):

"You ever heard of such a thing in all the time you've been associated with the Department of Justice."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I have never heard of that."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Are there rules about how you can do counterintelligence investigations?"

9. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I believe there are Mr. Chairman."

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina (off camera):

"So if you want to open up one against the president. are there any checks and balances?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Not outside the FBI."

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina (off camera):

"OK well we need to look at that."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Mueller. You say you've known Mueller a long time. Would you say you have a close relationship with Mr. Mueller?"

14. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I would say we were good friends."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina (off camera):

"Would you say that you understand him to be a fair minded person?."

16. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Absolutely."

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina (off camera):

"Do you trust him to be fair to the president and the country as a whole?"

18. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Yes."

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina (off camera):

"When his report comes to you, will you share with us as much as possible?"

20. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Consistent with the regulations and the law, yes."

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Do you believe Mr. Mueller would be involved in a witch hunt against anybody?"

22. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I don't I don't believe Mr. Mueller would would be involved in a witch hunt."

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"Will you commit to no interference with the scope of the special counsel's investigation?"

24. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I will--the scope of the special counsel's investigation is set by his charter and by the regulations and I will ensure that those are maintained."

25. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California (off camera):

"Will you commit to providing Mr. Muller with the resources, funds and time needed to complete his investigation?"

26. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Yes."

27. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California (off camera):

"Will you commit to ensuring that Special Counsel Mueller is not terminated without good cause, consistent with department regulations?"

28. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Absolutely."

29. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California (off camera):

"If special counsel Mueller makes any request, for instance, about the scope of his investigation or resources for his investigation will you commit to notifying Congress if you deny that request?"

30. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I think the regulations require notification of Congress if there's a disagreement."

31. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"Will you commit to making any report Mueller produces at the conclusion of his investigation available to Congress and to the public?"

32. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"As I said in my statement I am going to make as much information available as I can, consistent with the rules and regulations that are part of the special counsel regulations."

33. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California (off camera):

"Will you commit to making any report on the obstruction of justice public?"

34. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"That's the same answer."

35. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"Your 2018 memo, in it, you stated and I quote 'the framers plan contemplates that the president's law enforcement powers extend to all matters including those in which he had a personal stake' end quote. Please explain what you base this conclusion on."

36. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"Here's the Department of Justice right here and within the Department of Justice, enforcement decisions are being made. The president's over here. And I think of it as there are two categories of potential communications. One would be on a case that the president wants to communicate about that he has no personal interest in no political interest in. Let's say the president is concerned about Chinese stealing trade secrets and say I want you to go after this company that's being, you know, that may be stealing trade secrets. That's perfectly appropriate for him to do, to communicate that, but whether it's bona fide or not, as I said in my statement, the Department of Justice's obligation and the attorney general's obligation is not to take any action unless we reach, we, the Department of Justice and the attorney general, reach their own, independent conclusion that it is justified under the law. And, regardless of the instruction and that's my quote that everyone is saying you know siccing you know it's OK for the president to direct things. All I said was it's not per se improper for the president to call on the department for doing something, especially if he has no personal or political interest in it. The other category of cases and let's pick a you know an easy bad example would be if a member of the president's family or a business associate or something was under investigation and he tries to intervene. He--he's the chief law enforcement officer and you could say well he has the power. But that would be a breach of his obligation under the Constitution to faithfully execute the laws. So in my opinion if he attempts, if a president attempts to intervene in a matter that he has a stake in to try to protect himself that should first be looked at as a breach of his constitutional duties whether it also violates a statute depending on what statute comes into play and what all the facts are."

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said she wants the Senate to vote on a proposal to put restrictions on the president's ability to remove special counsel Robert Mueller.

Collins said she realizes President Donald Trump would never sign such a bill, but she said it would put pressure on him to let Mueller's investigation run its course.

Speaking in Brunswick, Maine, Collins said she's "very concerned" about the appointment of Matt Whitaker to serve as acting attorney general because of his comments about setting parameters for the probe into whether Trump's presidential campaign coordinated with Russia in 2016.

She said ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions proved himself to be "an individual of great integrity" by recusing himself and allowing the sufficient resources for Mueller to complete the probe.

POOL

Washington - 7 November 2018

1. Former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions walking out of the Justice Department, waving at people as they applaud, NATS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brunswick, Maine - 9 November 2018

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"I'm very concerned about the appointment of Mr. (Matt) Whitaker to be the Acting Attorney General. Jeff Sessions was an individual of great integrity. He proved that time and time again. Despite the president putting tremendous pressure on him, he continued to recuse himself from any involvement in the Mueller investigation and under Rod Rosenstein's leadership, the Special Counsel has all the resources and that he has needed to follow the evidence wherever it may be may lead. I am concerned about comments that Mr. Whitaker has made about the Independent Counsel and the parameters of the investigation. For that reason, I believe that we should bring to the Senate floor soon a bill that would put restrictions on the ability of the president to be able to remove the Special Counsel. Now, I recognize the president is never gonna to sign such a bill but I think that a Senate debate and passage of the bill would send a very strong message to the president."

POOL

Washington - 7 November 2018

3. Sessions shaking hands with other men, including Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brunswick, Maine - 9 November 2018

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"Jeff Sessions and I were elected the same year to the Senate and although there were many, many issues on which we disagreed, I knew that he was a person of strength and integrity, and that was why I I supported his nomination; I introduced him at the nomination hearing. And I think that the people of the United States have seen that he is, in fact, a person of strength and integrity, given the tremendous pressure that he has been under from the White House. And yet, he has stood strong. It doesn't mean that I agree with him on certain issues or policies that he's implemented. But I knew that he would do what he thought was right and that he would not bend. And it's significant that in his letter of resignation, that he says 'As requested, I'm submitting my letter of resignation.'"

POOL

Washington - 7 November 2018

5. Sessions waving at crowd, NATS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brunswick, Maine - 9 November 2018

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"The fact that the career employees of the Justice Department all gathered around him to applaud him as he was leaving the Justice Department for the last day speaks to the respect that he earned from the civil servants working there."

POOL

Washington - 7 November 2018

7. Sessions entering vehicle

8. Pan right of crowd applauding

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said she wants the Senate to vote on a proposal to put restrictions on the president's ability to remove special counsel Robert Mueller.

Collins said she realizes President Donald Trump would never sign such a bill, but she said it would put pressure on him to let Mueller's investigation run its course.

Speaking in Brunswick, Maine, Collins said she's "very concerned" about the appointment of Matt Whitaker to serve as acting attorney general because of his comments about setting parameters for the probe into whether Trump's presidential campaign coordinated with Russia in 2016.

She said ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions proved himself to be "an individual of great integrity" by recusing himself and allowing the sufficient resources for Mueller to complete the probe.

POOL

Washington - 7 November 2018

1. Former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions walking out of the Justice Department, waving at people as they applaud, NATS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brunswick, Maine - 9 November 2018

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"I'm very concerned about the appointment of Mr. (Matt) Whitaker to be the Acting Attorney General. Jeff Sessions was an individual of great integrity. He proved that time and time again. Despite the president putting tremendous pressure on him, he continued to recuse himself from any involvement in the Mueller investigation and under Rod Rosenstein's leadership, the Special Counsel has all the resources and that he has needed to follow the evidence wherever it may be may lead. I am concerned about comments that Mr. Whitaker has made about the Independent Counsel and the parameters of the investigation. For that reason, I believe that we should bring to the Senate floor soon a bill that would put restrictions on the ability of the president to be able to remove the Special Counsel. Now, I recognize the president is never gonna to sign such a bill but I think that a Senate debate and passage of the bill would send a very strong message to the president."

POOL

Washington - 7 November 2018

3. Sessions shaking hands with other men, including Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brunswick, Maine - 9 November 2018

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"Jeff Sessions and I were elected the same year to the Senate and although there were many, many issues on which we disagreed, I knew that he was a person of strength and integrity, and that was why I I supported his nomination; I introduced him at the nomination hearing. And I think that the people of the United States have seen that he is, in fact, a person of strength and integrity, given the tremendous pressure that he has been under from the White House. And yet, he has stood strong. It doesn't mean that I agree with him on certain issues or policies that he's implemented. But I knew that he would do what he thought was right and that he would not bend. And it's significant that in his letter of resignation, that he says 'As requested, I'm submitting my letter of resignation.'"

POOL

Washington - 7 November 2018

5. Sessions waving at crowd, NATS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brunswick, Maine - 9 November 2018

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Susan Collins, (R) Maine:

"The fact that the career employees of the Justice Department all gathered around him to applaud him as he was leaving the Justice Department for the last day speaks to the respect that he earned from the civil servants working there."

POOL

Washington - 7 November 2018

7. Sessions entering vehicle

8. Pan right of crowd applauding

President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general told senators Tuesday "it is vitally important" that special counsel Robert Mueller be allowed to complete his Russia investigation

William Barr said at his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing that it is in "the best interest of everyone...that this matter be resolved," adding, "the country needs a credible  resolution to these issues."

Barr said he believes Congress and the public must learn the results.

He also insisted that Trump never sought any promises, assurances or commitments before selecting him to be the country's chief law enforcement officer.

POOL

Washington, DC - 15 January 2019

1. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"The attorney general must ensure that the administration of justice the enforcement of the law is above and away from politics. Nothing could be more destructive of our system of government of the rule of law or the Department of Justice as an institution than any toleration of political interference with the enforcement of the law."

2. Cutaway of committee members

3. SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"President Trump has sought no assurances, promises or commitments from me of any kind, either express or implied, and I have not given him any other than that I would run the department with professionalism and integrity."

4. Wide shot of hearing

8 . SOUNDBITE (English) William Barr, Attorney General Nominee:

"I believe it is vitally important that the special counsel be allowed to complete his investigation. I have known Bob Mueller for 30 years. We work closely together throughout my previous tenure at the Department of Justice. We've been friends since and I have the utmost respect for Bob and his distinguished record of public service. And when he was named special counsel I said his selection was good news and that knowing him, I had confidence he would handle the matter properly and I still have that confidence today. Given his public actions to date, I expect that the special counsel is well along in his investigation. At the same time, the president has been steadfast that he was not involved in any collusion with Russian attempts to interfere in the election. I believe it is in the best interests of everyone, the president ,Congress and the American people, that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work. The country needs a credible resolution to these issues and if confirmed, I will not permit partisan politics, personal interests or any other improper consideration to interfere with this or any other investigation. I will follow the special counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith and on my watch Bob will be allowed to finish his work."

Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker tells Congressional lawmakers that there has been no change in the overall management of the special counsel's Russia investigation.

"At no time as the White House asked for, nor have I provided, any promises or commitments concerning the Special Counsel's investigation or any other investigation, " Whitaker told the Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee on Friday in his opening remarks.

Congressional Democrats had been eager to press Whitaker, during his first testimony to Congress, on his interactions with President Donald Trump and his oversight of the special counsel's Russia investigation.

Whitaker has been supervising special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation after rejecting the advice of career ethics officials to step aside out of an abundance of caution.

The testimony comes as Whitaker is likely winding down his tenure leading the Justice Department with the almost certain confirmation of Attorney General nominee William Barr in the coming weeks.

POOL

Washington - 8 February 2019

1. Pan, acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker walking into hearing

2. Side, hearing gaveled into session

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman, Democrat - New York:

"When career officials that the Department recommended that you take steps to mitigate your apparent conflicts of interest when they told you that your public criticism of the special counsel was bad for the department and bad for the administration of justice you ignored them. You decided that your private interests in overseeing this particular investigation and perhaps others from which you should have been recused was more important than the integrity of the department. The question that this committee must now ask is why? Why did President Trump choose to replace Attorney General Sessions with an outspoken critic of the special counsel instead of with any number of qualified individuals who had already received Senate confirmation? Why did you ignore the career officials who went to extraordinary lengths to tell you that your continued involvement in the Special Counsel's work would undermine the credibility of the Department of Justice?"

4. Close-up Whitaker

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman, Democrat - New York:

"I also take issue with your written testimony which we did not receive until almost midnight last night, when you suggest that you quote will continue the long standing executive branch policy and practice of not disclosing information that may be subject to executive privilege close quote. In other words you reserve the right to end to refuse to answer the question forever. That's not how it works."

6. Close-up Whitaker

7. Side, Ranking member Collins speaking

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Doug Collins, Republican - Georgia:

"If this is the way we're going to go, then we'll have plenty of stunts. We are going to have plenty of theatrics.  Bringing your popcorn.  I'm thinking about maybe we just got a former scene in the back because that's what this is becoming. It is becoming a show.  When your presence was here,  you were coming voluntarily. You've always said you're coming voluntarily. So we had the show yesterday. We now have the curtain dropped down and Mr. Whitaker, I guess your confirmation hearing's here. You've only got five days left on the job or six days left on the job. We could join together with the chairman to say Mr. Barr come in here because you've been actually the Attorney General Mr. Barr has been the attorney general he's been before this committee before we could have had substantive hearings but no we're going to have a show."

9. Side view of hearing

10. Various views, Whitaker being sworn in

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General:

"At no time has the White House asked for, nor have I provided any promises or commitments concerning the special counsel's investigation or any other investigation. Since becoming acting attorney general, I have run the Department of Justice with fidelity to the law and to the Constitution. During my time as the leader of the Department of Justice the Department has complied with the special counsel regulations and there has been no change in how the department has worked with the special counsel's office. Over the past day the department and the committee have exchanged letters concerning the respective prerogatives of the legislative and executive branches. I am pleased that we are able to reach an agreement that allows me to appear here voluntarily. I am pleased also that we agreed that each branch would seek to accommodate each other and that if we have differences we will try to work them out in good faith before resorting to subpoenas or other former--formal legal processes. I will answer the committee's questions as best I can but I will continue the long standing executive branch practice of not disclosing information that may be subject to executive privilege, such as the contents of conversations with the president."

12. Side view of hearing

Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker tells Congressional lawmakers that there has been no change in the overall management of the special counsel's Russia investigation.

"At no time as the White House asked for, nor have I provided, any promises or commitments concerning the Special Counsel's investigation or any other investigation, " Whitaker told the Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee on Friday in his opening remarks.

Congressional Democrats had been eager to press Whitaker, during his first testimony to Congress, on his interactions with President Donald Trump and his oversight of the special counsel's Russia investigation.

Whitaker has been supervising special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation after rejecting the advice of career ethics officials to step aside out of an abundance of caution.

The testimony comes as Whitaker is likely winding down his tenure leading the Justice Department with the almost certain confirmation of Attorney General nominee William Barr in the coming weeks.

POOL

Washington - 8 February 2019

1. Pan, acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker walking into hearing

2. Side, hearing gaveled into session

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman, Democrat - New York:

"When career officials that the Department recommended that you take steps to mitigate your apparent conflicts of interest when they told you that your public criticism of the special counsel was bad for the department and bad for the administration of justice you ignored them. You decided that your private interests in overseeing this particular investigation and perhaps others from which you should have been recused was more important than the integrity of the department. The question that this committee must now ask is why? Why did President Trump choose to replace Attorney General Sessions with an outspoken critic of the special counsel instead of with any number of qualified individuals who had already received Senate confirmation? Why did you ignore the career officials who went to extraordinary lengths to tell you that your continued involvement in the Special Counsel's work would undermine the credibility of the Department of Justice?"

4. Close-up Whitaker

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman, Democrat - New York:

"I also take issue with your written testimony which we did not receive until almost midnight last night, when you suggest that you quote will continue the long standing executive branch policy and practice of not disclosing information that may be subject to executive privilege close quote. In other words you reserve the right to end to refuse to answer the question forever. That's not how it works."

6. Close-up Whitaker

7. Side, Ranking member Collins speaking

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Doug Collins, Republican - Georgia:

"If this is the way we're going to go, then we'll have plenty of stunts. We are going to have plenty of theatrics. Bringing your popcorn. I'm thinking about maybe we just got a former scene in the back because that's what this is becoming. It is becoming a show. When your presence was here, you were coming voluntarily. You've always said you're coming voluntarily. So we had the show yesterday. We now have the curtain dropped down and Mr. Whitaker, I guess your confirmation hearing's here. You've only got five days left on the job or six days left on the job. We could join together with the chairman to say Mr. Barr come in here because you've been actually the Attorney General Mr. Barr has been the attorney general he's been before this committee before we could have had substantive hearings but no we're going to have a show."

9. Side view of hearing

10. Various views, Whitaker being sworn in

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General:

"At no time has the White House asked for, nor have I provided any promises or commitments concerning the special counsel's investigation or any other investigation. Since becoming acting attorney general, I have run the Department of Justice with fidelity to the law and to the Constitution. During my time as the leader of the Department of Justice the Department has complied with the special counsel regulations and there has been no change in how the department has worked with the special counsel's office. Over the past day the department and the committee have exchanged letters concerning the respective prerogatives of the legislative and executive branches. I am pleased that we are able to reach an agreement that allows me to appear here voluntarily. I am pleased also that we agreed that each branch would seek to accommodate each other and that if we have differences we will try to work them out in good faith before resorting to subpoenas or other former--formal legal processes. I will answer the committee's questions as best I can but I will continue the long standing executive branch practice of not disclosing information that may be subject to executive privilege, such as the contents of conversations with the president."

12. Side view of hearing

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has declined to answer a question about whether special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation is a "witch hunt."

President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the Russia probe a "witch hunt."

Asked by both Democratic Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen and Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson, if he also thought it was, Whitaker declined to answer, citing the ongoing investigation.

Asked by Cohen if he would stop a "witch hunt," Whitaker said it would be "inappropriate" to answer that question.

Whitaker oversees the Mueller probe.

The hearing before the House Judiciary Committee was the first, and likely only, chance for newly empowered Democrats in the majority to grill an attorney general they perceive as a Donald Trump loyalist and whose appointment they suspect was aimed at suppressing investigations of the Republican president.

Republicans made clear they viewed the hearing as pointless political grandstanding especially since Whitaker may have less than a week left as the country's chief law enforcement officer.

POOL

Washington - 8 February 2019

1. Mid, Whitaker walking back into hearing room and sitting at witness table after recess

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee, Democrat - Texas:

"This is the first oversight hearing we have had in the Justice Department in almost 15 months. You did not have a confirmation hearing and you have not yet appeared for an oversight hearing, yes or no? Yes or no?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General:

"Congresswoman, I'm the acting ..."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee, Democrat - Texas:

"Yes or no? Have you appeared before an oversight hearing in the Congress?

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General:

"Congresswoman. I have not ...

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Committee Chairman, Democrat - New York:

"The witness will answer the question, as asked please."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Doug Collins, Republican - Georgia:

"If he feels that a yes or no is appropriate, he'll answer yes or no. If he does not feel is appropriate he should be able to answer in the appropriate way, as many Democrat administration officials have done before this committee before."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, Democrat - Texas:

"Mr. Attorney General, we're not joking here and your humor is not acceptable. Now you are here because we have a constitutional duty to ask questions and the Congress has the right to establish government rules. The rules are that you are here. So I need to ask the question, and I need to have my time restored, so that you can behave appropriately I will behave appropriately as a member of the Judiciary Committee. I've asked a question, did you have a confirmation hearing and have you not yet appeared for an oversight hearing?"

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"Congresswoman, I am an acting attorney general. I have been appointed according to the Vacancies Reform Act and I have never appeared in front of Congress for any hearing even when I was United States attorney."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat - Tennessee:

"Let me ask you this, there has been a conviction in the special counsel investigation of Mr. Manafort. jury trial, conviction. There have been guilty pleas from Flynn, Manafort, Gates, Papadopoulos and Michael Cohen and dozens of indictments, including thirteen Russian nationals, three Russian companies and Roger Stone. Would you say the special counsel's investigation is a witch hunt? Are you overseeing a witch hunt?"

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"Congressman, as I've mentioned previously, the special counsel's investigation is an ongoing investigation. And so I think it would be inappropriate for me to ... "

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat - Tennessee:

"But you wouldn't oversee a witch hunt, would you? You'd stop a witch hunt wouldn't you?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"Congressman, it would be inappropriate for me to talk about an ongoing investigation."

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat - Tennessee:

"You said that you're not interfering with the special counsel's investigation have you denied him any funds he's requested at all?"

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"Congressman, I can tell this is an important issue for you but ..."

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat - Tennessee:

"It's an important issue for the American public and for the whole world."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Louie Gohmert, Republican - Texas:

"Acting Attorney General, thank you for being here today. (Whitaker: Good to see you again Congressman.) I'm amazed that you would be coming since your successor is going apparently be confirmed next week and you'll no longer be acting director. So I don't know what kind of suicide wish you had or whatever but it's good to see you."

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Hank Johnson, Democrat - Georgia:

"Do you agree with the president's statement that the Russian investigation is a witch hunt?"

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"As I mentioned previously, Congressman. I think it would be inappropriate for me to comment about an ongoing investigation."

18. Side view of hearing

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker has declined to answer a question about whether special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation is a "witch hunt."

President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the Russia probe a "witch hunt."

Asked by both Democratic Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen and Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson, if he also thought it was, Whitaker declined to answer, citing the ongoing investigation.

Asked by Cohen if he would stop a "witch hunt," Whitaker said it would be "inappropriate" to answer that question.

Whitaker oversees the Mueller probe.

The hearing before the House Judiciary Committee was the first, and likely only, chance for newly empowered Democrats in the majority to grill an attorney general they perceive as a Donald Trump loyalist and whose appointment they suspect was aimed at suppressing investigations of the Republican president.

Republicans made clear they viewed the hearing as pointless political grandstanding especially since Whitaker may have less than a week left as the country's chief law enforcement officer.

POOL

Washington - 8 February 2019

1. Mid, Whitaker walking back into hearing room and sitting at witness table after recess  

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee, Democrat - Texas:

"This is the first oversight hearing we have had in the Justice Department in almost 15 months. You did not have a confirmation hearing and you have not yet appeared for an oversight hearing, yes or no? Yes or no?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General:

"Congresswoman, I'm the acting ..."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee, Democrat - Texas:

"Yes or no? Have you appeared before an oversight hearing in the Congress?

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General:

"Congresswoman. I have not ...

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Committee Chairman, Democrat - New York:

"The witness will answer the question, as asked please."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Doug Collins, Republican - Georgia:

"If he feels that a yes or no is appropriate, he'll answer yes or no. If he does not feel is appropriate he should be able to answer in the appropriate way, as many Democrat administration officials have done before this committee before."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, Democrat - Texas:

"Mr. Attorney General, we're not joking here and your humor is not acceptable. Now you are here because we have a constitutional duty to ask questions and the Congress has the right to establish government rules. The rules are that you are here. So I need to ask the question, and I need to have my time restored, so that you can behave appropriately I will behave appropriately as a member of the Judiciary Committee. I've asked a question, did you have a confirmation hearing and have you not yet appeared for an oversight hearing?"

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"Congresswoman, I am an acting attorney general. I have been appointed according to the Vacancies Reform Act and I have never appeared in front of Congress for any hearing even when I was United States attorney."

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat - Tennessee:

"Let me ask you this, there has been a conviction in the special counsel investigation of Mr. Manafort. jury trial, conviction. There have been guilty pleas from Flynn, Manafort, Gates, Papadopoulos and Michael Cohen and dozens of indictments, including thirteen Russian nationals, three Russian companies and Roger Stone. Would you say the special counsel's investigation is a witch hunt? Are you overseeing a witch hunt?"

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"Congressman, as I've mentioned previously, the special counsel's investigation is an ongoing investigation. And so I think it would be inappropriate for me to ... "

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat - Tennessee:

"But you wouldn't oversee a witch hunt, would you? You'd stop a witch hunt wouldn't you?"

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"Congressman, it would be inappropriate for me to talk about an ongoing investigation."

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat - Tennessee:

"You said that you're not interfering with the special counsel's investigation have you denied him any funds he's requested at all?"

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"Congressman, I can tell this is an important issue for you but ..."

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat - Tennessee:

"It's an important issue for the American public and for the whole world."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Louie Gohmert, Republican - Texas:

"Acting Attorney General, thank you for being here today. (Whitaker: Good to see you again Congressman.) I'm amazed that you would be coming since your successor is going apparently be confirmed next week and you'll no longer be acting director. So I don't know what kind of suicide wish you had or whatever but it's good to see you."

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Hank Johnson, Democrat - Georgia:

"Do you agree with the president's statement that the Russian investigation is a witch hunt?"

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Whitaker, acting Attorney General

"As I mentioned previously, Congressman. I think it would be inappropriate for me to comment about an ongoing investigation."

18. Side view of hearing

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions will announce that he is entering the race for his old U.S. Senate seat in Alabama, two Republicans with direct knowledge of his plans said Wednesday.

Sessions, 72, will be making a return to the political stage a year after stepping down as President Donald Trump's first attorney general when their relationship soured over his recusal from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

The two Republicans confirmed to The Associated Press that Sessions is expected to announce his candidacy Thursday.

They were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The two-decade senator's entry into the race upends the 2020 Republican primary, which has a crowded field competing to challenge Democratic Sen. Doug Jones for the once reliably red seat.

The decision comes after months of speculation that Sessions might seek a return to the Senate.

Sessions was the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump's 2016 campaign, and the two supported similar policies on immigration and law enforcement.

But Sessions' recusal from the Russia inquiry prompted blistering public criticism from Trump, who eventually asked him to resign.

Despite the repeated attacks, Sessions has remained a Trump loyalist who continues to back the president's policies.

In a speech last month at a Republican Party fundraiser in Huntsville, Sessions reiterated his support for Trump even as he joked about life after being "fired" from a job. Sessions praised Trump's effort on trade, immigration and foreign policy.

"That's why I supported him and why I still do support him," Sessions told the crowd of about 500. "He is relentlessly and actually honoring the promises he made to the American people."

Sessions, for years a popular figure among state Republicans, represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate from 1997 to 2017.

He will enter the race as a presumed front-runner, but the effect of Trump's online and verbal lashings remains unclear in Alabama, where the president remains popular.

Trump in June called his selection of Sessions as attorney general his "biggest mistake." ''I would say if I had one do-over, it would be, I would not have appointed Jeff Sessions to be attorney general," Trump said in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press."

The Republican primary includes U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne; former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville; Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill; former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, who lost to Jones in a special election two years ago; and others.

Some of Sessions' primary rivals have already signaled they will use the Trump feud in the campaign.

Tuberville said in a statement last month that Sessions "had a chance to stand and defend the President and he failed."

POOL

Washington – 30 July 2018

1. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions walks up to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeff Sessions, U.S. Attorney General:

"There can be no doubt that we are stronger as a nation because of the contribution of religious people. Everyday across America, they feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, educate our young people, care for the sick. They do so not because the government tells them to, but because they want to. They do these things because of their faith."

5. Jeff Sessions leaves podium

POOL

Washington – 28 June 2018

1. Officials walk into room

2. Jeff Sessions speaking

3 . SOUNDBITE (English): Jeff Sessions, U.S. Attorney General:

"Today I'm announcing we are breaking records again. The Department of Justice in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services is announcing the largest health care fraud takedown in American history. This year we are charging 601 defendants, including 76 doctors, 23 pharmacists, 19 nurses and other medical personnel with more than two billion dollars in health care fraud. Much of this fraud is related to our ongoing opioid crisis, which is tremendously dangerous for America. It's the deadliest drug epidemic in the history of this country. We've never seen anything like it."

3. Wide of news conference

ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Diego, California – 7 May 2018

1. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions walks in for news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeff Sessions. U.S. Attorney General:

"That's why the Department of Homeland Security is now referring 100-percent of the illegal southwest border crossings to the Department of Justice for prosecution and the Department of Justice will take up these cases. I have put in place a zero tolerance policy for illegal entry on our southwest border. If you cross the border unlawfully then we will prosecute you. It's that simple. If you smuggle illegal aliens across our border then we will prosecute you. If you are smuggling a child then we will prosecute you and that child may be separated from you as required by law. If you make false statements to an immigration officer or file a fraudulent asylum claim, that's a felony. If you help others do so that's a felony also, you're going to the jail. So if you're going to come to this country - come here legally don't come here illegally."

5 . Jeff Sessions leaves news conference

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said Tuesday he's seen no basis for firing Robert Mueller, the former FBI director he appointed as special counsel to oversee an investigation into potential coordination between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia.

Rosenstein repeatedly conveyed his support for Mueller's role at a Senate hearing, held the morning after a close friend of President Donald Trump was quoted in a television interview as saying he was considering dismissing Mueller.

Rosenstein testified that he is the only one who has the authority to fire Mueller, who was appointed following the May 9 ousting of James Comey as FBI director, and that he had seen no good cause to do so. He said he would agree to dismiss Mueller only if there were a legitimate basis to do so. An order from the president would not necessarily qualify, he said.

POOL

Washington - 13 June 2017

1. Wide of housing

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Sen. James Lankford, (R) Oklahoma:

"Is there anything to some secret plan that out there from you or anyone in this administration to try to go and remove the special counsel?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General:

"There is no plan that involves me. No. Senator."

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Sen. James Lankford, (R) Oklahoma:

"I would say no one in America is above the law and no one in America is not faced with accountability and checks and balance. Every one of us has checks and balances, the president, every member of the cabinet, the vice president, every judge has checks and balances in the system. I can't seem to understand the fascination to say we need to create some special counsel that would be the only person in America that has no accountability structure anywhere for anything."

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Sen. Chris Van Hollen: (D) Maryland:

"My question relates to the definition of good cause because you were very clear in your testimony that the authority to remove a special counsel is based on a finding of good cause. Is that correct?"

Rosenstein: Yes. that's right.

Van hollen: And is an order from the president to fire the special counsel good cause?

Rosenstein: It doesn't matter who the order comes from. Good cause would be based on the reasons for the proposed removal.

Van hollen: Right. And removing the special counsel in order to prevent the special counsel from pursuing the investigation, that would not constitute good cause, correct?

Rosenstein: Correct.

Van hollen: So, if somebody else were to fire the special counsel. In other words, if the president were to find somebody to do it, my question is what is the protection in that good cause definition? In your view, could the special counsel contest his firing if the special counsel did not believe it was good cause?

Rosenstein: Senator, I hope I won't have to answer that hypothetical. The purpose of that regulation, the folks who wrote it put a lot of thought into it and they anticipated that people would follow the rules. Your question is what if someone doesn't follow the rules? What happens next? We have a lot of very well-informed folks and great lawyers in the department who would deal with that if were to arise, but I do no anticipate that it's going to arise."

6. SOUNDBITE (English): Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Do you have any doubt that the 17 intelligence agencies' report that was submitted last year or early this year, that Russia interfered in our election is accurate?

Rosenstein: Senator, this is an issue that was discussed at my confirmation hearing and several of you have attended that. At that point I had access only to the public information.

Graham: So what can you tell us now?

Rosenstein: I now have access to classified information and I think that assessment made by the intelligence community is justified based on the investigation and the information they had."