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Collins: Sessions 'Absolutely Did the Right Thing' in Recusal From Russia Investigation

Patty Wight
/
Maine Public
Sen. Susan Collins speaks Friday at the Maine Medical Research Institute in Scarborough.

Maine Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is defending Attorney General Jeff Sessions.  Earlier this week, President Donald Trump criticized Sessions for recusing himself from the investigation into Russian meddling in last year's election. 

"I've served for 20 years with Jeff Sessions, and he's a person of integrity," Collins said Friday at an event at the Maine Medical Research Institute in Scarborough. "So he absolutely did the right thing."

Collins said Sessions followed Department of Justice guidelines.  Sessions recused himself after news reports revealed that he met with the Russian ambassador while he was involved with Trump's presidential campaign.

Collins also said the investigation into Russia's involvement with last year's election must be free from any interference. 

Collins was asked by reporters to respond to reports suggesting that President Trump's lawyers are taking steps to block Robert Mueller's investigation.  "He cannot be interfered with," she said. "I believe it would be catastrophic if the president were to fire him."

Collins said the public needs to have confidence in the findings of the investigation.