Yesterday a pretty impressive New York Times bombshell fell on Jeff Sessions saying that he actually did discuss campaign issues with a Russian ambassador before the election. He hasn’t denied it.
BUT… a lot of people immediately began speculating that perhaps this wasn’t a “deep state” leak, but instead an attempt by Trump himself to set up Sessions.
Sessions story is suspicious. Trump wants him fired for not recusing on Russia. Sonebody leaked intel to get him fired.
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) July 21, 2017
Either Sessions lied or he is being framed so they can get rid of him and fire Mueller. Which is it FOX News? https://t.co/FM4urEPPNM
— Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) July 22, 2017
This of course comes after Trump publicly belittled and scolded Sessions for recusing him from the Russian investigations, and causing the appointment of Special Counsel Mueller.
Every GOP figure I've spoken to at #AspenSecurity assumes Trump leaked this to force Sessions out. "Certainly not a Mueller leak," one said. https://t.co/5WjsCLkQks
— Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg) July 21, 2017
Irresistible question: could Trump team have leaked the kislyak intercepts to push Sessions out after he failed to resign yesterday? https://t.co/azUnBSJL5j
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) July 21, 2017
Random thought: Could Sessions story be WH leak to push AG out window since he refused to jump this week? https://t.co/nR096WfC7V
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) July 22, 2017
Sessions: This is a political hit job. It saves Trump fm doing Saturday night massacre 2.0. Will be out in 24 hrs. My vote: Nunes leaked it.
— Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) July 22, 2017
The AG is being set up by Team Trump. Watch Trump allies continue to leak against him to justify his firing so Trump can then fire Mueller. https://t.co/PZwVSyx2mU
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) July 22, 2017
Yes, most of these are from Trump critics, but they make an intriguing point, don’t they?
To add fire to this speculation, I noticed that official Trump cult generals like Sean Hannity and Eric Bolling are now trashing Sessions, even though they were singing his praises a month ago.
Notice this tweet from Trump too:
A new INTELLIGENCE LEAK from the Amazon Washington Post,this time against A.G. Jeff Sessions.These illegal leaks, like Comey's, must stop!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017
Doesn’t that sound like he’s confirming the leak? He’s not calling it “fake news” like he usually does. Is this a case of “the prezzy doth protest too much”?
Then there’s this one:
So many people are asking why isn't the A.G. or Special Council looking at the many Hillary Clinton or Comey crimes. 33,000 e-mails deleted?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017
Didn’t they already argue that Trump could tell the A.G. to investigate anyone? SO why is he whining about it on Twitter instead of just commanding Sessions to do it?
Place your bets – how soon before Sesshy is out?