Sessions pushes back on calls for Clinton special counsel

Jordan made a fiery case for allegations of improper spying on the Trump campaign by the Obama administration Department of Justice that widely was touted amongst Capitol Hill Republicans. {mosads}

“We know one fact. We know the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee paid for the dossier,” he said. 

“And it sure looks like the FBI was paying the author of that document and it sure looks like a major political party was working with the federal government to then turn an opposition research document — the equivalent of some National Enquirer story — into an intelligence document to take that to the FISA Court so they could then get a warrant to spy on President Trump’s campaign,” Jordan said.

“That’s what it looks like and I’m asking you, in addition to all the things we know about James Comey in 2016, doesn’t that warrant naming a second special counsel?” he said.

Sessions at first demurred, noting that Comey is no longer the director of the FBI and praising the current director, Chris Wray. But pressed further by Jordan — “He’s not here today, Attorney General Sessions, and you are” — Sessions appeared to throw cold water on the immediate need for a special counsel.

“I would say ‘looks like’ is not enough basis to appoint a special counsel,” he said sharply.

The House Intelligence and Oversight committees are also jointly probing the sale of a Canada-based company with control over some U.S. uranium to a Russian firm when Clinton was secretary of State.