The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is calling for Attorney General Jeff SessionsJeff SessionsSenate Intel chairman defends Sessions GOP Sen. Portman calls on Sessions to recuse himself ACLU: Probe Sessions for perjury MORE to be investigated for perjury.
“Jeff Sessions took an oath before the Senate Judiciary Committee to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and it is now clear that he broke that oath in his confirmation hearing,” Anthony D. Romero, the ACLU’s executive director, said in a statement Thursday. "This matter must not and cannot be seen as a partisan issue, as it goes to the heart of the credibility of our democracy."
“The American people deserve a full investigation into whether Sessions perjured himself and if he is indeed fit to serve as our nation’s highest law enforcement official. No one is above the law, certainly not those sworn to uphold it.”
Sessions did not disclose speaking with Kislyak during his confirmation hearings for attorney general, testifying under oath that he “did not have communications with the Russians" as a surrogate for now-President Trump.
The former GOP senator from Alabama reportedly first spoke with Kislyak in July during a Heritage Foundation event.
Sessions then purportedly spoke with Kislyak via phone in September, a time when U.S. intelligence officials believe Russia was interfering in the White House race ultimately won by Trump.
Reports emerged last month that top aides and allies from Trump’s campaign were in recurring contact with senior Russian intelligence officials.
Sessions said early Thursday that he is willing to recuse himself from a federal probe of involvement in Trump’s bid if necessary.
“I have said whenever it’s appropriate, I will recuse myself,” he told NBC News. "There’s no doubt about that.”
“Well, I have not met with any Russians at any time to discuss any political campaigns,” Sessions added of reports about his talks with Kislyak. "Those remarks are unbelievable to me and are false. I don’t have anything else to say about that.”
Democrats have seized on the allegations, with some, including Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles SchumerGOP Sen. Portman calls on Sessions to recuse himself Dem senator: Sessions should resign Liberal groups want Manchin removed from Dem leadership MORE (D-N.Y.), calling for Sessions’s resignation.