President Trump said Thursday that he has "total" confidence in Attorney General Jeff SessionsJeff SessionsTop Intel Dem: FBI director holding back Russia info Trump has 'total' confidence in Sessions Senate Dem calls for Treasury probe into Trump business ties to Russia MORE, despite Sessions speaking twice with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. last year and failing to tell senators during his confirmation hearing.
Trump told reporters he “wasn’t aware” of Sessions’ conversations with Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak, but said he believes Sessions “probably did” speak truthfully to the Senate under oath.
“I don't think so,” Trump said when asked if Sessions should recuse himself from the U.S. government’s Russia investigation.
The comments come as Sessions, a former Alabama senator, is facing mounting pressure from his own party to recuse himself from federal investigations into Russian intervention in the 2016 presidential election.
GOP Sens. Rob PortmanRob PortmanTrump has 'total' confidence in Sessions Second GOP senator calls for Sessions to recuse himself The Hill's 12:30 Report MORE (Ohio) and Susan Collins
Susan CollinsTrump has 'total' confidence in Sessions Second GOP senator calls for Sessions to recuse himself LIVE COVERAGE: Jeff Sessions under fire MORE (Maine) have said Sessions should step aside to allow an independent inquiry into Russian meddling to take place.
Meanwhile, a growing number of Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles SchumerLiberal groups want Manchin removed from Dem leadership Impact, incidence of Chinese currency controls largely overblown GOP's leaked 'repeal and replace' plan is the scorpion striking the frog MORE (N.Y.), have called for Sessions to resign.
The president spoke while touring the USS Gerald R. Ford in Newport News, Va.
Updated: 2:33 p.m.