Jaws Drop As GOP Senator Compares Meeting Russians To Bumping Into Somebody At The Grocery Store

During Jeff Sessions testimony Sen. James Risch (R-ID) compared secret meetings with Russians to bumping into someone at the grocery store.

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As part of his questioning, Sen. Risch said, “Senators up here who are on either Foreign Relations, Intelligence, or Armed Services, conversations with officers of other governments, ambassadors or what have you are everyday occurrences here, multiple time occurrences for most of us. Is that a fair statement?” Sessions answered, “I think it is.” And indeed, if you run into one in the grocery store, you’re going to have a conversation with them.”

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No, no, no, and no. The Trump campaign is not accused of bumping into some Russians in the grocery store and bumping into them. What the Trump campaign is accused of is meeting with Russian officials and not disclosing those meetings. Jeff Sessions did not disclose meetings with Russians during his Senate confirmation hearing. That is a crime.

Republicans are going to extreme lengths to try to whitewash the Russia investigation. The issue is the interfere of a hostile foreign power in the US presidential election. Sessions has not denied meeting with Russians. He has only said that he does not recall.

Even for Republicans who are trying to brush off the Russia scandal, Risch’s statement was a new low.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association