Thread by @sarahkendzior

Since Bilbo Bigot is apparently running late, I'm going to watch the #TrumpNuclear hearing until he shows up

Bilbo Bigot has arrived. I'll have to check up on our impending nuclear annihilation later #SessionsHearing

Rep Conyers is doing a perjury recap of Sessions' prior testimonies about Russia, in which he denied contacts that were later confirmed #SessionsHearing

Rep Conyers notes both Trump and Sessions are abusing positions. Trump fires Comey, Yates, and others and threatened to fire Sessions in order to derail investigation; Sessions lies and plans witchhunt of Trump enemies

Rep Conyers: "Trump believes that on a whim he can bring pressure on his enemies, insulate his allies, protect his family from consequences...this is a threat to the republic" #SessionsHearing

Conyers echoes argument I made in June: Trump views Sessions as his personal attorney; Sessions plays along qz.com/1007024/jeff-s… #SessionsHearing

Sessions: Trump has decided we should *decrease* crime, not increase it! 🤔 #SessionsHearing

Sessions: I don't recall anything about this Papadopoulos fellow and his meetings [Sessions was Papadopoulos's supervisor on Trump's foreign policy campaign team] #SessionsHearing

Sessions is now committing meta-perjury by lying that he's "never lied" #SessionsHearing

The degradation of democracy and dignity in one image, as Trump's tweets are introduced as evidence #SessionsHearing

Conyers asks Sessions if a POTUS should derail an investigation; Sessions won't say he shouldn't.

Conyers is now reclaiming his time... #SessionsHearing

Conyers: Are you recused from investigations involving HRC?

Sessions: I can't tell you because "top officials" told me not to

What "top officials" is he referring to? #SessionsHearing

Nadler: You said you'd recuse yourself from HRC investigations. Do you stand by that?

Sessions: Yes. #SessionsHearing

Nadler: Did anyone at that meeting, including Trump, react to what Papadopoulos presented?

Sessions: I don't recall. #SessionsHearing

Sessions is now claiming he "pushed back" against Papadopoulos regarding events which he just said he can't recall 🤔 #SessionsHearing

Sessions hearing has three main lines of inquiry:

1) Did Sessions collude with Russia or abet others colluding?
2) Did he cover up collusion and lie about it?
3) Is he going to abuse his position to target Trump's enemies?

These are horrifying questions #SessionsHearing

Lofgren: Did you know Flynn was working for the Turkish govt after the election?
Sessions: No.
[This was widely reported after the election] #SessionsHearing

Rep Lee: These women have accused Roy Moore of child sexual activity. Do you believe them?
Sessions: No reason to doubt them.
Lee: Would you investigate Moore if he's elected?
Sessions: Ethics officials said I shouldn't get involved #SessionsHearing

This massive Trump sign was briefly held up behind Rep Jackson Lee #SessionsHearing

Rep Lee is interrogating Sessions hard and he's tongue-tied and trying hard to avoid her questions. Someone should post video of this later. #SessionsHearing

Rep Cohen: Since voter ID laws disenfranchise black Americans, will you stop defending them?
Sessions: No.
#SessionsHearing

Ironically, the only subject Sessions seems to have perfect recollection of is marijuana use #SessionsHearing

Sessions has tremendous recollection of all topics not related to criminal allegations against Trump admin.

Sessions *can* recall. He is a fake dotard. #Fauxtard #SessionsHearing

Deutch: Does Trump have power to pardon Papadopoulos?
Sessions: Too premature to comment
Deutch: How about pardoning Manafort, Flynn or Trump Jr before they're charged?
Sessions: I can't answer that #SessionsHearing

Sessions on "black identity extremists": There are groups that have an extraordinary commitment to their racial identity
Bass: Oh, like white extremists? Let's name some!
Sessions: [stammers something about skinheads; forgets KKK exists]
#SessionsHearing

Have we proven conclusively that Trey Gowdy and Ernest from the Ernest movies are not the same person? #SessionsHearing

Richmond: How many African-Americans are on your senior staff?
Sessions: None
Richmond: How many nominated or confirmed?
Sessions: One
Richmond: Here's the gist: are we going backwards? #SessionsHearing

This just happened:

"You said you 'don't recall' 36 times, is that correct?"

"I don't know."

#SessionsHearing

Jeffries: You voted for Clinton's impeachment on perjury, right?
Sessions: Yes
[Jeffries notes that Sessions also prosecuted a cop who changed testimony, and that Sessions has done the same thing]
Jeffries: "The AG should not be held to a different standard on perjury"

Sessions is melting down after Jeffries' tough questions and is now contradicting his earlier testimonies *again* #SessionsHearing

Sessions' racism is blatantly displayed when he faces tough questions from black reps. He can't contain his outrage. Similar to Trump when Trump faces questions from black reporters, esp women #SessionsHearing

Swalwell: Did anyone on the campaign say they were going to Russia or meeting with Russians?
Sessions: I met with Kislyak...
Swalwell: How about Carter Page?
Sessions: Well, I didn't tell him *not* to go to Russia. Was I supposed to stop him?

#SessionsHearing

Let's pretend Sessions is truthful. Then it appears he:
* Has severe memory loss
* Has little knowledge of US law
* Doesn't know his job requirements

Its either perjury or he's unqualified. Either way, time to go, Bilbo Bigot!

#SessionsHearing

Lieu: If Trump asked you for a loyalty oath would you do it?
Sessions: People are expected to be loyal to the exec branch head...
#SessionsHearing

Lieu: Were you lying when you didn't list your foreign government contacts on your security clearance form? Or are you lying now?
Sessions: [long and incoherent answer about not understanding the form]

#SessionsHearing

It's time to ask the perennial @TedLieu question of why Jeff Sessions still has a security clearance #SessionsHearing