CNN: Giuliani Defends Sessions, Is Not a Contender to Replace Him

Rudy Giuliani came to Jeff Sessions' defense Monday, telling CNN the attorney general made the right choice in recusing himself from the federal investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The former New York City mayor also shot down a report published by Axios stating he was being considered as Sessions' replacement.

Trump last week slammed Sessions for recusing himself, telling the New York Times he never would have appointed him had he known he would do that. The president took another swipe at the attorney general Monday, calling him "our beleaguered A.G." in a tweet.

So why aren't the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered A.G., looking into Crooked Hillarys crimes & Russia relations?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2017

Giuliani, who was one of Trump's most loyal supporters during the election, told CNN Sessions "made the right decision under the rules of the Justice Department."

Trump's sharp and public criticism of Sessions has reportedly drawn ire from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who considered the president's rebuke as unprofessional. Tillerson, according to sources who spoke with CNN, might be considering an early exit from the State Department because of frustrations with the way the White House operates.

• Trump Plans to Decertify Iran, Sidelines State Dept.
• Justice Ginsburg Optimistic Political Climate Will Become Less Polarizing