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

Private tensions between Justice Department leaders and Robert Mueller's team broke into public view in extraordinary fashion Wednesday as Attorney General William Barr pushed back at the special counsel's "snitty" complaints over his handling of the Trump-Russia investigation report.

Testifying for the first time since releasing Mueller's report, Barr said he was surprised Mueller did not reach a conclusion on whether President Donald Trump had tried to obstruct justice, and that he had felt compelled to step in with his own judgment that the president had committed no crime.

Barr was also perturbed by a private letter Mueller sent him last month complaining that the attorney general had not properly portrayed the special counsel's finding.

Barr called the note "a bit snitty."

"I said 'Bob, what's with the letter? Just pick up the phone and call me if there is an issue,'" Barr said.

The airing of disagreements over the handling of the report followed Mueller's two-year investigation into Russian interference to help Trump in the 2016 campaign and the possibility that Trump's team conspired with the Russians.

During most of the investigation, the Justice Department and Mueller's team seemed to be unified in approach.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been anything but unified.

And their partisan divide was on full display during Wednesday's contentious Judiciary Committee hearing, which included three Democratic presidential candidates.

Some Republicans, in addition to defending Trump, focused on the president's 2016 Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton's email and campaign practices and what they argued has been a lack of investigation of them.

Democrats, for their part, moved to exploit the daylight between Barr and Mueller to attack the attorney general's credibility and accuse him of unduly spinning the special counsel's report in the president's favor.

Barr sought to minimize the rift by suggesting the special counsel's concerns were largely about process, not substance.

Barr's appearance gave him his most extensive opportunity to explain the department's actions, including his news conference held before the Mueller report's release.

Barr has also been invited to appear Thursday before the Democratic-led House Judiciary panel, but the Justice Department has said he would not testify if the committee insisted on having its lawyers question him.

Neither side broke much new ground Wednesday on the specifics of Mueller's investigation, though Barr did articulate a robust defense of Trump as he made clear his firm conviction that there was no prosecutable case against the president for obstruction of justice.

POOL

Washington DC - 1 May 2019

1. Wide, Senate Judiciary Committee

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Cory Booker, Democrat - New Jersey:

"We right now have a new normal in our country. We have a document that shows over 200 hundred attempts, connections between a presidential campaign and a foreign adversary sharing information that would be illegal if you did it with a super PAC. We know that. (Barr: What information was shared?)  The polling data was shared sir. It's in the report I can cite you the page. (Barr: With who?) And I guess my point here is is that your willingness to seem to brush over this and use words like the American people should be grateful. What's in this report? Nobody should be grateful."

3. Back view of hearing

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

"Sen. Kamala Harris: Attorney General Barr has the president or anyone at the White House ever asked or suggested that you open an investigation of anyone?

Umm, I wouldn't I wouldn't.

Harris: Yes or no.

Could you repeat that question?"

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, Democrat - California:

"I will repeat it. Has the president or anyone at the White House ever asked or suggested that you open an investigation of anyone? Yes or no please sir?"

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

"The president or anybody else.

Harris: Seems you'd remember something like that and be able to tell us.

Yeah but I'm trying to grapple with the words suggest. I mean there have been discussions of of matters out there that they have not asked me to open investigation but  ...

Harris: Perhaps they've suggested?

I don't know, I wouldn't say suggest.

Harris: Hinted? Inferred?"

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, Democrat - California:

"Is in reaching your conclusion did you personally review all of the underlying evidence?"

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

"No. We took and  ...

Harris: Did Mr. Rosenstein?

No we accepted the statements in the report as the factual record. We did not go underneath it to see whether or not they were accurate. We accepted it as accurate."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, Democrat - California:

"As the Attorney General of the United States. You run the United States Department of Justice. If in any U.S. attorney's office around the country, the head of that office when being asked to make a critical decision about in this case the person who holds the highest office in the land and whether or not that person committed a crime, would you accept them recommending a charging decision to you if they had not reviewed the evidence?

Barr: Well that's a question for Bob Mueller. He's the U.S. attorney. He's the one who presents the report.

But it was you who made the charging decision, sir? You made the decision not to charge the president."

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

"In a pross (process) memo and then a declination memo.

Harris: You said it was your baby, what did you mean by that?

It was my baby to to let to decide whether or not to disclose it to the public

Harris: And whose decision was it? Who had the power to make the decision about whether or not the evidence was sufficient to make a determination of whether there had been an obstruction of justice?

Prosecution memos go up to the supervisor, in this case it was the the attorney general and the deputy attorney general who who decide on the final decision."

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

"Mr. Attorney General, on April 27th President Trump stated 'Mueller, I assume for 35 million dollars he checked my taxes and he checked my financials.' Is that accurate? Did the special counsel review the president's taxes and the Trump Organization's financial statements?"

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

"I don't know.

Klobuchar: Can you find out if I ask later in a written question?

I, yes or you could ask Bob Mueller when he comes here.

Klobuchar: OK I'll do that too."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat - Connecticut:

"In fact in response to your question 'why not just pick up the phone,' this letter was an extraordinary act. A career prosecutor rebuking the attorney general of the United States, memorializing in writing. Right? I know of no other instance of that happening. Do you?"

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

"I don't consider Bob at this stage a career prosecutor. He's had a career as a prosecutor.

Blumenthal: Well, he's a very eminent prosecutor.

He was the head of the FBI for 12 years.

Blumenthal: He's a career a law enforcement professional, right? Yeah I know of no other instance of ...

But he was also political appointee and he was a political appointee with me at the Department of Justice. I don't know the letters a bit snitty and I think it was probably written by one of his staff people."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat - Connecticut:

"Did you make a memorandum of your conversation? Did you make a memorandum"

Barr: I didn't.

Did anyone, either you or anyone on your staff memorialize your conversation with Robert Mueller?"

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

"Yes.

Blumenthal: Who did that?

Barr: There were notes taken of the call.

Blumenthal: May we have those notes?

Barr: No

Blumethal: Why not?"

Barr: Why should you have them."

16. Pan, Barr leaving hearing

Private tensions between Justice Department leaders and Robert Mueller's team broke into public view in extraordinary fashion Wednesday as Attorney General William Barr pushed back at the special counsel's "snitty" complaints over his handling of the Trump-Russia investigation report.

Testifying for the first time since releasing Mueller's report, Barr said he was surprised Mueller did not reach a conclusion on whether President Donald Trump had tried to obstruct justice, and that he had felt compelled to step in with his own judgment that the president had committed no crime.

Barr was also perturbed by a private letter Mueller sent him last month complaining that the attorney general had not properly portrayed the special counsel's finding.

Barr called the note "a bit snitty."

"I said 'Bob, what's with the letter? Just pick up the phone and call me if there is an issue,'" Barr said.

The airing of disagreements over the handling of the report followed Mueller's two-year investigation into Russian interference to help Trump in the 2016 campaign and the possibility that Trump's team conspired with the Russians.

During most of the investigation, the Justice Department and Mueller's team seemed to be unified in approach.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been anything but unified.

And their partisan divide was on full display during Wednesday's contentious Judiciary Committee hearing, which included three Democratic presidential candidates.

Some Republicans, in addition to defending Trump, focused on the president's 2016 Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton's email and campaign practices and what they argued has been a lack of investigation of them.

Democrats, for their part, moved to exploit the daylight between Barr and Mueller to attack the attorney general's credibility and accuse him of unduly spinning the special counsel's report in the president's favor.

Barr sought to minimize the rift by suggesting the special counsel's concerns were largely about process, not substance.

Barr's appearance gave him his most extensive opportunity to explain the department's actions, including his news conference held before the Mueller report's release.

Barr has also been invited to appear Thursday before the Democratic-led House Judiciary panel, but the Justice Department has said he would not testify if the committee insisted on having its lawyers question him.

Neither side broke much new ground Wednesday on the specifics of Mueller's investigation, though Barr did articulate a robust defense of Trump as he made clear his firm conviction that there was no prosecutable case against the president for obstruction of justice.

POOL

Washington DC - 1 May 2019

1. Wide, Senate Judiciary Committee

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Cory Booker, Democrat - New Jersey:

"We right now have a new normal in our country. We have a document that shows over 200 hundred attempts, connections between a presidential campaign and a foreign adversary sharing information that would be illegal if you did it with a super PAC. We know that. (Barr: What information was shared?) The polling data was shared sir. It's in the report I can cite you the page. (Barr: With who?) And I guess my point here is is that your willingness to seem to brush over this and use words like the American people should be grateful. What's in this report? Nobody should be grateful."

3. Back view of hearing

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

"Sen. Kamala Harris: Attorney General Barr has the president or anyone at the White House ever asked or suggested that you open an investigation of anyone?

Umm, I wouldn't I wouldn't.

Harris: Yes or no.

Could you repeat that question?"

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, Democrat - California:

"I will repeat it. Has the president or anyone at the White House ever asked or suggested that you open an investigation of anyone? Yes or no please sir?"

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

"The president or anybody else.

Harris: Seems you'd remember something like that and be able to tell us.

Yeah but I'm trying to grapple with the words suggest. I mean there have been discussions of of matters out there that they have not asked me to open investigation but ...

Harris: Perhaps they've suggested?

I don't know, I wouldn't say suggest.

Harris: Hinted? Inferred?"

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, Democrat - California:

"Is in reaching your conclusion did you personally review all of the underlying evidence?"

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

"No. We took and ...

Harris: Did Mr. Rosenstein?

No we accepted the statements in the report as the factual record. We did not go underneath it to see whether or not they were accurate. We accepted it as accurate."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, Democrat - California:

"As the Attorney General of the United States. You run the United States Department of Justice. If in any U.S. attorney's office around the country, the head of that office when being asked to make a critical decision about in this case the person who holds the highest office in the land and whether or not that person committed a crime, would you accept them recommending a charging decision to you if they had not reviewed the evidence?

Barr: Well that's a question for Bob Mueller. He's the U.S. attorney. He's the one who presents the report.

But it was you who made the charging decision, sir? You made the decision not to charge the president."

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

"In a pross (process) memo and then a declination memo.

Harris: You said it was your baby, what did you mean by that?

It was my baby to to let to decide whether or not to disclose it to the public

Harris: And whose decision was it? Who had the power to make the decision about whether or not the evidence was sufficient to make a determination of whether there had been an obstruction of justice?

Prosecution memos go up to the supervisor, in this case it was the the attorney general and the deputy attorney general who who decide on the final decision."

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

"Mr. Attorney General, on April 27th President Trump stated 'Mueller, I assume for 35 million dollars he checked my taxes and he checked my financials.' Is that accurate? Did the special counsel review the president's taxes and the Trump Organization's financial statements?"

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

"I don't know.

Klobuchar: Can you find out if I ask later in a written question?

I, yes or you could ask Bob Mueller when he comes here.

Klobuchar: OK I'll do that too."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat - Connecticut:

"In fact in response to your question 'why not just pick up the phone,' this letter was an extraordinary act. A career prosecutor rebuking the attorney general of the United States, memorializing in writing. Right? I know of no other instance of that happening. Do you?"

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

"I don't consider Bob at this stage a career prosecutor. He's had a career as a prosecutor.

Blumenthal: Well, he's a very eminent prosecutor.

He was the head of the FBI for 12 years.

Blumenthal: He's a career a law enforcement professional, right? Yeah I know of no other instance of ...

But he was also political appointee and he was a political appointee with me at the Department of Justice. I don't know the letters a bit snitty and I think it was probably written by one of his staff people."

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat - Connecticut:

"Did you make a memorandum of your conversation? Did you make a memorandum"

Barr: I didn't.

Did anyone, either you or anyone on your staff memorialize your conversation with Robert Mueller?"

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

"Yes.

Blumenthal: Who did that?

Barr: There were notes taken of the call.

Blumenthal: May we have those notes?

Barr: No

Blumethal: Why not?"

Barr: Why should you have them."

16. Pan, Barr leaving 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

Robert Mueller has been given sweeping power to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, an acknowledgment of growing public demands to place the politically charged inquiry into the hands of an outside investigator with bipartisan respect.

Senate Democrats reacted with virtually unanimous applause Thursday morning.

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, Bob Mueller does have that," said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

The former FBI director has a broad mandate that could encompass any questionable actions of President Donald Trump's associates and possibly even the circumstances of last week's abrupt firing of James Comey.

As special counsel, Mueller will direct an FBI counterintelligence investigation examining whether Russia coordinated with Trump campaign associates to influence the election in his behalf.

He is entitled to a budget, can request new or additional staff and will have the same authority as high-ranking Justice Department lawyers, including the ability to prosecute any crimes he uncovers.

Washington, DC - 18 May 2017

+++SOUNDBITES ONLY, NO BROLL+++

+++SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Joe Manchin, (D) West Virginia

"It's the first time I have had my phone light up after six o'clock from my friends on both sides of the aisle, both impressed with the appointment. I think it shows we can rise above any cloud that's thrown on us in Washington."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Ron Wyden, (D) Oregon

"Bob Mueller and I have certainly had differences of opinion, particularly with my concern with the government's authority to do surveillance on law abiding Americans, but I do consider him to be a professional and an honorable man."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California

"He's a very good attorney. He's a very diligent person. He's a wonderful man, and I think he will be a superior independent counsel."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Pat Leahy, (D) Vermont

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, Bob Mueller does have that. I've known him for years. I worked with him both as chairman and as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I think Bob Mueller is a good choice."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut

"I'm very confident that Bob Mueller will do the right thing, here, follow the evidence wherever it might lead. There is mounting evidence of obstruction of justice and impropriety, illegality that preceded this administration and may have continued while its in power."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, (D) Minnesota

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle. You've heard barely a complaint about his which is quite unique. I got to work with him some because he was in the middle of an investigation of terrorist recruitment of people in Minnesota who were trying to join al-Shabaab. I was really impressed with his work then, and I continue to be impressed by him."

+++ENDS ON A SOUNDBITE+++

Robert Mueller has been given sweeping power to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, an acknowledgment of growing public demands to place the politically charged inquiry into the hands of an outside investigator with bipartisan respect.

Senate Democrats reacted with virtually unanimous applause Thursday morning.

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, Bob Mueller does have that," said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

The former FBI director has a broad mandate that could encompass any questionable actions of President Donald Trump's associates and possibly even the circumstances of last week's abrupt firing of James Comey.

As special counsel, Mueller will direct an FBI counterintelligence investigation examining whether Russia coordinated with Trump campaign associates to influence the election in his behalf.

He is entitled to a budget, can request new or additional staff and will have the same authority as high-ranking Justice Department lawyers, including the ability to prosecute any crimes he uncovers.

Washington, DC - 18 May 2017

+++SOUNDBITES ONLY, NO BROLL+++

+++SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Joe Manchin, (D) West Virginia

"It's the first time I have had my phone light up after six o'clock from my friends on both sides of the aisle, both impressed with the appointment. I think it shows we can rise above any cloud that's thrown on us in Washington."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Ron Wyden, (D) Oregon

"Bob Mueller and I have certainly had differences of opinion, particularly with my concern with the government's authority to do surveillance on law abiding Americans, but I do consider him to be a professional and an honorable man."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California

"He's a very good attorney. He's a very diligent person. He's a wonderful man, and I think he will be a superior independent counsel."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Pat Leahy, (D) Vermont

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, Bob Mueller does have that. I've known him for years. I worked with him both as chairman and as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I think Bob Mueller is a good choice."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut

"I'm very confident that Bob Mueller will do the right thing, here, follow the evidence wherever it might lead. There is mounting evidence of obstruction of justice and impropriety, illegality that preceded this administration and may have continued while its in power."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, (D) Minnesota

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle. You've heard barely a complaint about his which is quite unique. I got to work with him some because he was in the middle of an investigation of terrorist recruitment of people in Minnesota who were trying to join al-Shabaab. I was really impressed with his work then, and I continue to be impressed by him."

+++ENDS ON A SOUNDBITE+++

Robert Mueller has been given sweeping power to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign, an acknowledgment of growing public demands to place the politically charged inquiry into the hands of an outside investigator with bipartisan respect.

Senate Democrats reacted with virtually unanimous applause Thursday morning.

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, I think Bob Mueller does have that," said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont.

The former FBI director has a broad mandate that could encompass any questionable actions of President Donald Trump's associates and possibly even the circumstances of last week's abrupt firing of James Comey.

As special counsel, Mueller will direct an FBI counterintelligence investigation examining whether Russia coordinated with Trump campaign associates to influence the election in his behalf.

He is entitled to a budget, can request new or additional staff and will have the same authority as high-ranking Justice Department lawyers, including the ability to prosecute any crimes he uncovers.

Washington, DC - 18 May 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Joe Manchin, (D) West Virginia

"It's the first time I have had my phone light up last night right after six o'clock. My friends on both sides of the aisle were very impressed with this appointment. I think it basically shows we can rise above any cloud that's thrown on us in Washington."

++BLACK FRAMES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Ron Wyden, (D) Oregon

"Bob Mueller and I have certainly had differences of opinion, particularly with my concern with the government's authority to do surveillance on law abiding Americans, but I do consider him to be a professional and an honorable man."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California

"He's a very good attorney. He's a very diligent person. He's a wonderful man, and I think he will be a superior independent counsel."

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Pat Leahy, (D) Vermont

"You've got to have somebody of integrity, I think Bob Mueller does have that. I've known him for years. I worked with him both when I was chairman and as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. I think Bob Mueller is a good choice."

++BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut

"I'm very confident that Bob Mueller will do the right thing here, follow the evidence wherever it might lead. There is mounting evidence of obstruction of justice and impropriety and illegality that preceded this administration and may have continued while it's in power."

++BLACK FRAMES++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, (D) Minnesota

"Well, it's like a breath of fresh air has come into this week-long saga in that I think he is someone that has support on both sides of the aisle. You've heard barely a complaint about him which is quite unique. I got to work with him some because he was in the middle of an investigation of terrorist recruitment in Minnesota of people who were trying to join al-Shabab. I was really impressed with his work then, and I continue to be impressed by him."

++ENDS ON A SOUNDBITE++

AP Reporter Lisa Mascaro says the first day of a Senate hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was filled with opposition and chaos.

"There were Democratic senators calling for the session to be postponed. And there were protests coming from many people in the audience," Mascaro, who was inside the courtroom, said.

Democrats raised objections from the moment Chairman Chuck Grassley gaveled the committee to order. One by one, Democrats, including Kamala Harris of California, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, all potential presidential contenders, demanded that Republicans delay the hearing. They railed against the unusual vetting process by Republicans that failed to include documents from three years Kavanaugh worked in the Bush administration, and 100,000 more pages withheld by the Trump White House. Some 42,000 pages were released to senators only, not the public, on the evening before the hearing.

In his statement, Kavanaugh touted the importance of an independent judiciary as his confirmation hearings began with strident Democratic criticism that he would be President Donald Trump's man on the high court.

On Wednesday, Kavanaugh can expect to spend most of the day in the hot seat, sparring with Democratic senators over abortion, guns, executive power and other high-profile issues.

A long day of questioning awaits the 53-year-old appellate judge, whom Trump nominated in July to fill the seat of retired Justice Anthony Kennedy. The change could make the court more conservative on a range of issues.

Barring a surprise, Republicans appear on track to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, perhaps in time for the new term on Oct. 1 and little more than a month before congressional elections.

However, the first of at least four days of hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee began with partisan quarreling over the nomination and persistent protests from members of the audience, followed by their arrests.

Strong Democratic opposition to Trump's nominee reflects the political stakes for both parties in advance of the November elections, Robert Mueller's investigation of Trump's 2016 campaign and the potentially pivotal role Kavanaugh could play in moving the court to the right.

Democrats, including several senators poised for 2020 presidential bids, tried to block the proceedings in a dispute over Kavanaugh records withheld by the White House. Republicans in turn accused the Democrats of turning the hearing into a circus.

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

1. Various of Brett Kavanaugh Senate hearing

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is President Trump's second nominee to the court. And what was just really remarkable today was the outpouring of opposition. No sooner than the chairman of the committee, Senator Chuck Grassley, he gaveled in the session and the session just completely erupted in chaos. There were Democratic senators calling for the session to be postponed. And there were protests coming from many people in the audience."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

3. Various of hearing, protesters

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"One of the main things at issue has been the process here. Democrats are really complaining about the lack of documents from Kavanaugh's past service in the Bush White House. They are concerned that a number of documents have not been turned over as part of the vetting process. Now Chuck Grassley, the chairman, says you know, hundreds of thousands of documents have been made available to the committee, and that's true. But these are being made available on an unusual basis where they're coming directly from the Bush archives and separate from the traditional archive process. And many of those documents are being held back on a confidential basis. Either the committee is holding them back, or in one case, we saw just a few days ago the Trump administration, the White House held back 100,000 documents. Democrats are crying foul and saying this is just no way to vet somebody who will be having a lifetime confirmation on the court."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chris Coons, (D) Delaware:

"To ranking member Feinstein's request, which she tried to craft with you to be identical to the request for records from Justice Kagan. We should not be proceeding until we have the full documents that allow us to review the judge's records."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"Kavanaugh really showed, you know, why a lot of people like him. He was a very personable, optimistic-looking person. He talked about his belief in the independence of the judiciary. And he really tried to tell the senators that he would be an independent broker here."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

7. Wide, Kavanaugh at desk

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Brett Kavanaugh, Supreme Court nominee:

"A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"The judge in the past has talked about his view that any investigation of a sitting president is disruptive to the executive branch and should wait until after the president is out of office. He has experience here, Judge Kavanaugh had served on the team, Kenneth Starr's team, that was investigating former President Bill Clinton. And at the end of that, he really had sort of some second thoughts about investigating a sitting president. That of course is important now because President Trump and his team are under a lot of scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the Russia probe. And so senators will be asking a lot of questions about the judge's views of executive power and whether he believes a sitting president can be investigated, can be forced to testify, or even if whether an indictment could be brought."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

10. Wide of hearing

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dick Durbin, (D) Illinois:

"And it's that president who's decided you are his man. You're the person he wants on the Supreme Court, you are his personal choice. So are people nervous about this? Are they concerned about it? Of course they are."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"The Senate Republicans have the majority here and they are eager to have Judge Kavanaugh confirmed in time for the start of the new Supreme Court session which begins October 1st. So they're looking to have the Senate finish up its work in the next couple weeks here and then have a confirmation vote on the floor of the Senate possibly by the end of September."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

13. Mid, Kavanaugh at desk

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Brett Kavanaugh, Supreme Court nominee:

"If confirmed to the Supreme Court, I will keep an open mind in every case. I will do equal right to the poor and to the rich. I will always strive to preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American Rule of Law."

15. Wide of hearing

AP Reporter Lisa Mascaro says the first day of a Senate hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was filled with opposition and chaos.

"There were Democratic senators calling for the session to be postponed. And there were protests coming from many people in the audience," Mascaro, who was inside the courtroom, said.

Democrats raised objections from the moment Chairman Chuck Grassley gaveled the committee to order. One by one, Democrats, including Kamala Harris of California, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, all potential presidential contenders, demanded that Republicans delay the hearing. They railed against the unusual vetting process by Republicans that failed to include documents from three years Kavanaugh worked in the Bush administration, and 100,000 more pages withheld by the Trump White House. Some 42,000 pages were released to senators only, not the public, on the evening before the hearing.

In his statement, Kavanaugh touted the importance of an independent judiciary as his confirmation hearings began with strident Democratic criticism that he would be President Donald Trump's man on the high court.

On Wednesday, Kavanaugh can expect to spend most of the day in the hot seat, sparring with Democratic senators over abortion, guns, executive power and other high-profile issues.

A long day of questioning awaits the 53-year-old appellate judge, whom Trump nominated in July to fill the seat of retired Justice Anthony Kennedy. The change could make the court more conservative on a range of issues.

Barring a surprise, Republicans appear on track to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, perhaps in time for the new term on Oct. 1 and little more than a month before congressional elections.

However, the first of at least four days of hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee began with partisan quarreling over the nomination and persistent protests from members of the audience, followed by their arrests.

Strong Democratic opposition to Trump's nominee reflects the political stakes for both parties in advance of the November elections, Robert Mueller's investigation of Trump's 2016 campaign and the potentially pivotal role Kavanaugh could play in moving the court to the right.

Democrats, including several senators poised for 2020 presidential bids, tried to block the proceedings in a dispute over Kavanaugh records withheld by the White House. Republicans in turn accused the Democrats of turning the hearing into a circus.

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

1. Various of Brett Kavanaugh Senate hearing

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is President Trump's second nominee to the court. And what was just really remarkable today was the outpouring of opposition. No sooner than the chairman of the committee, Senator Chuck Grassley, he gaveled in the session and the session just completely erupted in chaos. There were Democratic senators calling for the session to be postponed. And there were protests coming from many people in the audience."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

3. Various of hearing, protesters

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"One of the main things at issue has been the process here. Democrats are really complaining about the lack of documents from Kavanaugh's past service in the Bush White House. They are concerned that a number of documents have not been turned over as part of the vetting process. Now Chuck Grassley, the chairman, says you know, hundreds of thousands of documents have been made available to the committee, and that's true. But these are being made available on an unusual basis where they're coming directly from the Bush archives and separate from the traditional archive process. And many of those documents are being held back on a confidential basis. Either the committee is holding them back, or in one case, we saw just a few days ago the Trump administration, the White House held back 100,000 documents. Democrats are crying foul and saying this is just no way to vet somebody who will be having a lifetime confirmation on the court."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chris Coons, (D) Delaware:

"To ranking member Feinstein's request, which she tried to craft with you to be identical to the request for records from Justice Kagan. We should not be proceeding until we have the full documents that allow us to review the judge's records."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"Kavanaugh really showed, you know, why a lot of people like him. He was a very personable, optimistic-looking person. He talked about his belief in the independence of the judiciary. And he really tried to tell the senators that he would be an independent broker here."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

7. Wide, Kavanaugh at desk

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Brett Kavanaugh, Supreme Court nominee:

"A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"The judge in the past has talked about his view that any investigation of a sitting president is disruptive to the executive branch and should wait until after the president is out of office. He has experience here, Judge Kavanaugh had served on the team, Kenneth Starr's team, that was investigating former President Bill Clinton. And at the end of that, he really had sort of some second thoughts about investigating a sitting president. That of course is important now because President Trump and his team are under a lot of scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the Russia probe. And so senators will be asking a lot of questions about the judge's views of executive power and whether he believes a sitting president can be investigated, can be forced to testify, or even if whether an indictment could be brought."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

10. Wide of hearing

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dick Durbin, (D) Illinois:

"And it's that president who's decided you are his man. You're the person he wants on the Supreme Court, you are his personal choice. So are people nervous about this? Are they concerned about it? Of course they are."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"The Senate Republicans have the majority here and they are eager to have Judge Kavanaugh confirmed in time for the start of the new Supreme Court session which begins October 1st. So they're looking to have the Senate finish up its work in the next couple weeks here and then have a confirmation vote on the floor of the Senate possibly by the end of September."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

13. Mid, Kavanaugh at desk

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Brett Kavanaugh, Supreme Court nominee:

"If confirmed to the Supreme Court, I will keep an open mind in every case. I will do equal right to the poor and to the rich. I will always strive to preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American Rule of Law."

15. Wide of hearing

AP Reporter Lisa Mascaro says the first day of a Senate hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was filled with opposition and chaos.

"There were Democratic senators calling for the session to be postponed. And there were protests coming from many people in the audience," Mascaro, who was inside the courtroom, said.

Democrats raised objections from the moment Chairman Chuck Grassley gaveled the committee to order. One by one, Democrats, including Kamala Harris of California, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, all potential presidential contenders, demanded that Republicans delay the hearing. They railed against the unusual vetting process by Republicans that failed to include documents from three years Kavanaugh worked in the Bush administration, and 100,000 more pages withheld by the Trump White House. Some 42,000 pages were released to senators only, not the public, on the evening before the hearing.

In his statement, Kavanaugh touted the importance of an independent judiciary as his confirmation hearings began with strident Democratic criticism that he would be President Donald Trump's man on the high court.

On Wednesday, Kavanaugh can expect to spend most of the day in the hot seat, sparring with Democratic senators over abortion, guns, executive power and other high-profile issues.

A long day of questioning awaits the 53-year-old appellate judge, whom Trump nominated in July to fill the seat of retired Justice Anthony Kennedy. The change could make the court more conservative on a range of issues.

Barring a surprise, Republicans appear on track to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, perhaps in time for the new term on October 1 and little more than a month before congressional elections.

However, the first of at least four days of hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee began with partisan quarreling over the nomination and persistent protests from members of the audience, followed by their arrests.

Strong Democratic opposition to Trump's nominee reflects the political stakes for both parties in advance of the November elections, Robert Mueller's investigation of Trump's 2016 campaign and the potentially pivotal role Kavanaugh could play in moving the court to the right.

Democrats, including several senators poised for 2020 presidential bids, tried to block the proceedings in a dispute over Kavanaugh records withheld by the White House. Republicans in turn accused the Democrats of turning the hearing into a circus.

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

1. Various of Brett Kavanaugh Senate hearing

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is President Trump's second nominee to the court. And what was just really remarkable today was the outpouring of opposition. No sooner than the chairman of the committee, Senator Chuck Grassley, he gaveled in the session and the session just completely erupted in chaos. There were Democratic senators calling for the session to be postponed. And there were protests coming from many people in the audience."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

3. Various of hearing, protesters

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"One of the main things at issue has been the process here. Democrats are really complaining about the lack of documents from Kavanaugh's past service in the Bush White House. They are concerned that a number of documents have not been turned over as part of the vetting process. Now Chuck Grassley, the chairman, says you know, hundreds of thousands of documents have been made available to the committee, and that's true. But these are being made available on an unusual basis where they're coming directly from the Bush archives and separate from the traditional archive process. And many of those documents are being held back on a confidential basis. Either the committee is holding them back, or in one case, we saw just a few days ago the Trump administration, the White House held back 100,000 documents. Democrats are crying foul and saying this is just no way to vet somebody who will be having a lifetime confirmation on the court."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chris Coons, (D) Delaware:

"To ranking member Feinstein's request, which she tried to craft with you to be identical to the request for records from Justice Kagan. We should not be proceeding until we have the full documents that allow us to review the judge's records."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"Kavanaugh really showed, you know, why a lot of people like him. He was a very personable, optimistic-looking person. He talked about his belief in the independence of the judiciary. And he really tried to tell the senators that he would be an independent broker here."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

7. Wide, Kavanaugh at desk

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Brett Kavanaugh, Supreme Court nominee:

"A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"The judge in the past has talked about his view that any investigation of a sitting president is disruptive to the executive branch and should wait until after the president is out of office. He has experience here, Judge Kavanaugh had served on the team, Kenneth Starr's team, that was investigating former President Bill Clinton. And at the end of that, he really had sort of some second thoughts about investigating a sitting president. That of course is important now because President Trump and his team are under a lot of scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the Russia probe. And so senators will be asking a lot of questions about the judge's views of executive power and whether he believes a sitting president can be investigated, can be forced to testify, or even if whether an indictment could be brought."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

10. Wide of hearing

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dick Durbin, (D) Illinois:

"And it's that president who's decided you are his man. You're the person he wants on the Supreme Court, you are his personal choice. So are people nervous about this? Are they concerned about it? Of course they are."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Reporter:

"The Senate Republicans have the majority here and they are eager to have Judge Kavanaugh confirmed in time for the start of the new Supreme Court session which begins October 1st. So they're looking to have the Senate finish up its work in the next couple of weeks here and then have a confirmation vote on the floor of the Senate possibly by the end of September."

POOL

Washington, DC - 4 September 2018

13. Mid, Kavanaugh at desk

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Brett Kavanaugh, Supreme Court nominee:

"If confirmed to the Supreme Court, I will keep an open mind in every case. I will do equal right to the poor and to the rich. I will always strive to preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American Rule of Law."

15. Wide of hearing

Democratic Sen. Al Franken is accusing Attorney General Jeff Sessions of "moving the goal posts" in denying his interactions with the Russian ambassador.

In a testy exchange, Franken confronted Sessions about his testimony in January, in which he said he had no communications with Russians. Sessions later had to recuse himself from the Justice Department's investigation of Trump campaign ties to Russia after it was revealed he had conversations with the ambassador. Franken says his explanations of those interactions continue to change.

But Sessions, visibly frustrated and voice rising, called Franken's line of questioning unfair. He says he answered the question as a surrogate of the Trump campaign. Sessions says he may have discussed Trump's campaign positions with the ambassador but insists he did not have a continuing exchange of information with him.

Sessions also says he has not been questioned by special counsel Robert Mueller's team of investigators.

Mueller has been investigating potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

Sessions recused himself from the investigation in March, before Mueller was appointed, but he is seen as a possible witness because of his involvement in the May firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, asked Sessions if he had been interviewed. Sessions at first told Leahy that he would have to ask Mueller that question, but then later answered the question by saying no.

The Associated Press and other news organizations have reported that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has spoken to Mueller's team.

Sessions is also refusing to pledge that he won't seek to jail journalists for doing their jobs.

Under questioning at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing from Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, Sessions said he could not make that "blanket" commitment.

His position is a reversal of the stance taken by attorneys general in the Obama administration, who had said they would not seek to imprison members of the news media who were doing their jobs

The Trump administration has announced an aggressive crackdown on leaks of national security information to journalists.

POOL

Washington - 18 October 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont (off-screen):

"Have you been interviewed or been requested to be interviewed by the special counsel either in connection with Director Comey's firing, the Russia investigation, or your own contact with Russian officials?"

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"Well I'd be pleased to answer that. I'm not sure I should, without clearing that with the special counsel... what do you think?"

3. UPSOUND (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"I'm just asking... have you been interviewed by them?"

4. UPSOUND (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"No."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"You haven't been interviewed by the special counsel or in any way shape or manner?"

6. UPSOUND (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"The answer is no."

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

"First, if that's the main reason the president wanted to fire him (James Comey) -- his jumping into the email investigation and taking it over in an unprecedented way, which I agree with you, why did it take so long?"

8. UPSOUND (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"The investigation?"

UPSOUND (English) Sen. Graham: "No, the firing." (long silence by Sessions)

UPSOUND (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions: "You mean why did the president..."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Graham:

"We knew -- the president knew, when he was inaugurated that Comey jumped into the middle of the Clinton email investigation, took the job of the attorney general over. If that's the main reason he was fired, why did he wait so long to fire Comey?"

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"Well, I'm not sure he ever grasped the full import of that."

11. Wide of hearing

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Al Franken, (D) Minnesota:

"The goal post has been moved. First it was 'I did not have communications with Russians,' which was not true. Then it was 'I never met with any Russians to discuss any political campaign,' which may or may not be true. Now it's 'I did not discuss interference in the campaign,' which further narrows your initial blanket denial about meeting with the Russians."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"Well let me just say this without hesitation -- that I conducted no improper discussions with the Russians at any time regarding a campaign or any other item facing this country. I want to say that first. And that's been the suggestion that you've raised and others -- that it was somehow we had conversations that were improper."

14. Wide of hearing

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"And I'm disappointed. Yes, you can say what you want to about the accuracy of it, but I think it was a good faith response to a dramatic event at the time and I don't think it's fair for you to suggest otherwise."

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Al Franken, (D) Minnesota:

"That to me is moving the goal posts every time and we're starting off with an extra point. And by the end, we're going to, you know, a 75 yard field goal."

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"So now, everything else -- so now you take that to say if I ever met with a Russian, I've not been candid with the committee and I reject that."

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, (D) Minnesota:

"Will you commit to not putting reporters in jail for doing their jobs?"

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"Well, I don't know that I can make a blanket commitment to that effect. But I would say this -- we have not taken any aggressive action against the media at this point. But we have matters that involve the most serious national security issues that put our country at risk. And we will utilize the authorities that we have, legally and constitutionally, if we have to. We always try to find an alternative way, as you probably know, Senator Klobuchar, to directly confronting media person, but that's not a total blanket protection."

Democratic Sen. Al Franken is accusing Attorney General Jeff Sessions of "moving the goal posts" in denying his interactions with the Russian ambassador.

In a testy exchange, Franken confronted Sessions about his testimony in January, in which he said he had no communications with Russians. Sessions later had to recuse himself from the Justice Department's investigation of Trump campaign ties to Russia after it was revealed he had conversations with the ambassador. Franken says his explanations of those interactions continue to change.

But Sessions, visibly frustrated and voice rising, called Franken's line of questioning unfair. He says he answered the question as a surrogate of the Trump campaign. Sessions says he may have discussed Trump's campaign positions with the ambassador but insists he did not have a continuing exchange of information with him.

Sessions also says he has not been questioned by special counsel Robert Mueller's team of investigators.

Mueller has been investigating potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

Sessions recused himself from the investigation in March, before Mueller was appointed, but he is seen as a possible witness because of his involvement in the May firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, asked Sessions if he had been interviewed. Sessions at first told Leahy that he would have to ask Mueller that question, but then later answered the question by saying no.

The Associated Press and other news organizations have reported that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has spoken to Mueller's team.

Sessions is also refusing to pledge that he won't seek to jail journalists for doing their jobs.

Under questioning at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing from Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, Sessions said he could not make that "blanket" commitment.

His position is a reversal of the stance taken by attorneys general in the Obama administration, who had said they would not seek to imprison members of the news media who were doing their jobs

The Trump administration has announced an aggressive crackdown on leaks of national security information to journalists.

POOL

Washington - 18 October 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont (off-screen):

"Have you been interviewed or been requested to be interviewed by the special counsel either in connection with Director Comey's firing, the Russia investigation, or your own contact with Russian officials?"

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"Well I'd be pleased to answer that. I'm not sure I should, without clearing that with the special counsel... what do you think?"

3. UPSOUND (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"I'm just asking... have you been interviewed by them?"

4. UPSOUND (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"No."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont:

"You haven't been interviewed by the special counsel or in any way shape or manner?"

6. UPSOUND (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"The answer is no."

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

"First, if that's the main reason the president wanted to fire him (James Comey) -- his jumping into the email investigation and taking it over in an unprecedented way, which I agree with you, why did it take so long?"

8. UPSOUND (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"The investigation?"

UPSOUND (English) Sen. Graham: "No, the firing." (long silence by Sessions)

UPSOUND (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions: "You mean why did the president..."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Graham:

"We knew -- the president knew, when he was inaugurated that Comey jumped into the middle of the Clinton email investigation, took the job of the attorney general over. If that's the main reason he was fired, why did he wait so long to fire Comey?"

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"Well, I'm not sure he ever grasped the full import of that."

11. Wide of hearing

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Al Franken, (D) Minnesota:

"The goal post has been moved. First it was 'I did not have communications with Russians,' which was not true. Then it was 'I never met with any Russians to discuss any political campaign,' which may or may not be true. Now it's 'I did not discuss interference in the campaign,' which further narrows your initial blanket denial about meeting with the Russians."

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"Well let me just say this without hesitation -- that I conducted no improper discussions with the Russians at any time regarding a campaign or any other item facing this country. I want to say that first. And that's been the suggestion that you've raised and others -- that it was somehow we had conversations that were improper."

14. Wide of hearing

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"And I'm disappointed. Yes, you can say what you want to about the accuracy of it, but I think it was a good faith response to a dramatic event at the time and I don't think it's fair for you to suggest otherwise."

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Al Franken, (D) Minnesota:

"That to me is moving the goal posts every time and we're starting off with an extra point. And by the end, we're going to, you know, a 75 yard field goal."

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"So now, everything else -- so now you take that to say if I ever met with a Russian, I've not been candid with the committee and I reject that."

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Amy Klobuchar, (D) Minnesota:

"Will you commit to not putting reporters in jail for doing their jobs?"

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

"Well, I don't know that I can make a blanket commitment to that effect. But I would say this -- we have not taken any aggressive action against the media at this point. But we have matters that involve the most serious national security issues that put our country at risk. And we will utilize the authorities that we have, legally and constitutionally, if we have to. We always try to find an alternative way, as you probably know, Senator Klobuchar, to directly confronting media person, but that's not a total blanket protection."

Sen. Kamala Harris enters the Democratic presidential race Monday, vowing to "stand up and fight for the best of who we are" in America.

"We're talking about fighting for the values that we hold sacred and dear," said Harris during her first press conference after making her announcement on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"We fight for the American people and have leadership in this country that is focused on the needs of the people instead of self-interest I'm prepared to fight that way. And I believe it will be a winning fight."

Harris, who grew up in Oakland, California, and is a daughter of parents from Jamaica and India, is one of the earliest high-profile Democrats to join what is expected to be a crowded field.

The 54-year-old launched her presidential bid as the nation observes what would have been the 90th birthday of the slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

She abandoned the formality of launching an exploratory committee, instead going all in on a presidential bid.

She plans a formal campaign launch in Oakland on Jan. 27. The campaign will be based in Baltimore, with a second office in Oakland.

Harris joins what is expected to be a wide-open race for the Democratic presidential nomination. There's no apparent front-runner at this early stage and Harris will face off against several Senate colleagues.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York have both launched exploratory committees. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota are also looking at the race.

Washington DC - 21 January 2019

1. Various cutaways of Sen. Kamala Harris holding first press conference after announcing her bid for president

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"I love my country. I love my country and I feel a sense of responsibility to stand up and fight for the best of who we are and I'm prepared to fight. And I know how to fight. And in particular when we're talking about fighting for the values that we hold sacred and dear, when it comes to talking about how we fight for the American people and have leadership in this country that is focused on the needs of the people instead of self-interest I'm prepared to fight that way. And I believe it will be a winning fight."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"Well for all voters we've got to reach out to folks, we've got to go where they are, understand who they are. We have to listen as much as we talk. And that is certainly what I intend to do as a, as a candidate for the president of the United States. It is my full intention to travel this country and to sit in living rooms and to listen to families and let them express their concerns and their needs and understand that when we take on these positions it is about representing all of the people of the country."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"We are a diverse country. Yes, and some people would suggest that in diversity when there is a diverse population, one cannot achieve unity. I reject that notion, because this is my belief, yes we are diverse and we have so much more in common than what separates us. And when we emphasize that commonality, when we recognize that commonality, we will achieve greater unity and in particular greater unity that then we have right now where there are so many powerful voices who are trying to sow hate and division among us."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"My highest priority and what I believe should be the highest priority at least for the United States Congress is that Bob Mueller be able to finish his investigation. There are already 33 indictments that he has returned. Clearly he is following the facts where they lead him. And there should be no interference with that process, because the American public has a right to know what actually went on and then we'll make a decision. And certainly that decision will be made in the courts. But it is also possible that decision will be made by the United States Congress in terms of what consequence should occur."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"We need to get the government back up and running. It's really simple. Many of you were around just before Christmas. We passed out of the United States Senate, unanimous bipartisan agreement about what was needed to get the government funded."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"He (Trump) is now holding the American people hostage over a vanity project that he calls a wall while 800,000 people are trying to figure out how they're going to pay their rent, how they're going to pay their mortgage. It is completely irresponsible and those folks don't want a wall they want a paycheck. So let's be clear about what should be the priorities of this administration. Get the government back up and running. And then yes, let's have a conversation, a robust conversation, the debates where we need to have them on what we need to do to pass comprehensive immigration reform, because that conversation has got to happen. But we don't need to hold folks hostage to have that conversation. It is irresponsible."

10. Harris leaves press conference

Sen. Kamala Harris enters the Democratic presidential race Monday, vowing to "stand up and fight for the best of who we are" in America.

"We're talking about fighting for the values that we hold sacred and dear," said Harris during her first press conference after making her announcement on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"We fight for the American people and have leadership in this country that is focused on the needs of the people instead of self-interest I'm prepared to fight that way. And I believe it will be a winning fight."

Harris, who grew up in Oakland, California, and is a daughter of parents from Jamaica and India, is one of the earliest high-profile Democrats to join what is expected to be a crowded field.

The 54-year-old launched her presidential bid as the nation observes what would have been the 90th birthday of the slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

She abandoned the formality of launching an exploratory committee, instead going all in on a presidential bid.

She plans a formal campaign launch in Oakland on Jan. 27. The campaign will be based in Baltimore, with a second office in Oakland.

Harris joins what is expected to be a wide-open race for the Democratic presidential nomination. There's no apparent front-runner at this early stage and Harris will face off against several Senate colleagues.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York have both launched exploratory committees. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota are also looking at the race.

Washington DC - 21 January 2019

1. Various cutaways of Sen. Kamala Harris holding first press conference after announcing her bid for president

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"I love my country. I love my country and I feel a sense of responsibility to stand up and fight for the best of who we are and I'm prepared to fight. And I know how to fight. And in particular when we're talking about fighting for the values that we hold sacred and dear, when it comes to talking about how we fight for the American people and have leadership in this country that is focused on the needs of the people instead of self-interest I'm prepared to fight that way. And I believe it will be a winning fight."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"Well for all voters we've got to reach out to folks, we've got to go where they are, understand who they are. We have to listen as much as we talk. And that is certainly what I intend to do as a, as a candidate for the president of the United States. It is my full intention to travel this country and to sit in living rooms and to listen to families and let them express their concerns and their needs and understand that when we take on these positions it is about representing all of the people of the country."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"We are a diverse country. Yes, and some people would suggest that in diversity when there is a diverse population, one cannot achieve unity. I reject that notion, because this is my belief, yes we are diverse and we have so much more in common than what separates us. And when we emphasize that commonality, when we recognize that commonality, we will achieve greater unity and in particular greater unity that then we have right now where there are so many powerful voices who are trying to sow hate and division among us."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"My highest priority and what I believe should be the highest priority at least for the United States Congress is that Bob Mueller be able to finish his investigation. There are already 33 indictments that he has returned. Clearly he is following the facts where they lead him. And there should be no interference with that process, because the American public has a right to know what actually went on and then we'll make a decision. And certainly that decision will be made in the courts. But it is also possible that decision will be made by the United States Congress in terms of what consequence should occur."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"We need to get the government back up and running. It's really simple. Many of you were around just before Christmas. We passed out of the United States Senate, unanimous bipartisan agreement about what was needed to get the government funded."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"He (Trump) is now holding the American people hostage over a vanity project that he calls a wall while 800,000 people are trying to figure out how they're going to pay their rent, how they're going to pay their mortgage. It is completely irresponsible and those folks don't want a wall they want a paycheck. So let's be clear about what should be the priorities of this administration. Get the government back up and running. And then yes, let's have a conversation, a robust conversation, the debates where we need to have them on what we need to do to pass comprehensive immigration reform, because that conversation has got to happen. But we don't need to hold folks hostage to have that conversation. It is irresponsible."

10. Harris leaves press conference

Sen. Kamala Harris enters the Democratic presidential race Monday, vowing to "stand up and fight for the best of who we are" in America.

"We're talking about fighting for the values that we hold sacred and dear," said Harris during her first press conference after making her announcement on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"We fight for the American people and have leadership in this country that is focused on the needs of the people instead of self-interest I'm prepared to fight that way. And I believe it will be a winning fight."

Harris, who grew up in Oakland, California, and is a daughter of parents from Jamaica and India, is one of the earliest high-profile Democrats to join what is expected to be a crowded field.

The 54-year-old  launched her presidential bid as the nation observes what would have been the 90th birthday of the slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

She abandoned the formality of launching an exploratory committee, instead going all in on a presidential bid.

She plans a formal campaign launch in Oakland on Jan. 27. The campaign will be based in Baltimore, with a second office in Oakland.

Harris joins what is expected to be a wide-open race for the Democratic presidential nomination. There's no apparent front-runner at this early stage and Harris will face off against several Senate colleagues.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York have both launched exploratory committees. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota are also looking at the race.

Washington DC - 21 January 2019

1. Various cutaways of Sen. Kamala Harris holding first press conference after announcing her bid for president

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"I love my country. I love my country and I feel a sense of responsibility to stand up and fight for the best of who we are and I'm prepared to fight. And I know how to fight. And in particular when we're talking about fighting for the values that we hold sacred and dear, when it comes to talking about how we fight for the American people and have leadership in this country that is focused on the needs of the people instead of self-interest I'm prepared to fight that way. And I believe it will be a winning fight."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"Well for all voters we've got to reach out to folks, we've got to go where they are, understand who they are. We have to listen as much as we talk. And that is certainly what I intend to do as a, as a candidate for the president of the United States. It is my full intention to travel this country and to sit in living rooms and to listen to families and let them express their concerns and their needs and understand that when we take on these positions it is about representing all of the people of the country."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"We are a diverse country. Yes, and some people would suggest that in diversity when there is a diverse population, one cannot achieve unity. I reject that notion, because this is my belief, yes we are diverse and we have so much more in common than what separates us. And when we emphasize that commonality, when we recognize that commonality, we will achieve greater unity and in particular greater unity that then we have right now where there are so many powerful voices who are trying to sow hate and division among us."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"My highest priority and what I believe should be the highest priority at least for the United States Congress is that Bob Mueller be able to finish his investigation. There are already 33 indictments that he has returned. Clearly he is following the facts where they lead him. And there should be no interference with that process, because the American public has a right to know what actually went on and then we'll make a decision. And certainly that decision will be made in the courts. But it is also possible that decision will be made by the United States Congress in terms of what consequence should occur."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"We need to get the government back up and running. It's really simple. Many of you were around just before Christmas. We passed out of the United States Senate, unanimous bipartisan agreement about what was needed to get the government funded."

++SEPARATED BY BLACK++

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Kamala Harris, (D) California, Presidential Candidate:

"He (Trump) is now holding the American people hostage over a vanity project that he calls a wall while 800,000 people are trying to figure out how they're going to pay their rent, how they're going to pay their mortgage. It is completely irresponsible and those folks don't want a wall they want a paycheck. So let's be clear about what should be the priorities of this administration. Get the government back up and running. And then yes, let's have a conversation, a robust conversation, the debates where we need to have them on what we need to do to pass comprehensive immigration reform, because that conversation has got to happen. But we don't need to hold folks hostage to have that conversation. It is irresponsible."

10. Harris leaves press conference