Collins, King Call For Jeff Sessions To Recuse Self From Russia Probe

Maine's two U.S. Senators are calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from investigations into Russia’s role in the election.

“Attorney General Sessions should recuse himself to ensure public confidence in the Justice Department's investigation," Republican Susan Collins said in a statement released Thursday.

The statement comes after the Washington Post reported Wednesday night that Sessions, who was then a Senator, spoke twice last year with Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak.

Maine's other senator, independent Angus King, said the report contained "serious and troubling accusations, and they are ones that Attorney General Sessions must address immediately and fully – both to Congress and to the American people."

Sessions did not disclose meetings with Kislyak when asked about possible contacts between members of President Trump’s campaign and representatives of Moscow during his confirmation hearing to become attorney general.

Collins, who publicly supported Sessions and introduced him at the hearing, said "He should also clarify his statements to the Judiciary Committee with respect to his communications with the Russian Ambassador.”

The Washington Post reported that one of the meetings took place in September, the height of what U.S. intelligence officials say was a Russian cyber campaign to influence the presidential race.