Insiders: After Trump Anger, Sessions Offered to Resign

The Russia investigation caused so much tension between President Trump and Jeff Sessions that the attorney general offered to step down, insiders say. Sessions—a longstanding Trump ally who was the first GOP senator to support his candidacy—made the offer in recent weeks after Trump was infuriated by his decision to recuse himself from the investigation into alleged Russian election meddling, sources tell ABC News and the Wall Street Journal. The sources say Trump was deeply disappointed by Sessions' decision, which he viewed as a sign of weakness, though the president rejected the AG's offer to resign.

Sessions recused himself from the investigation after it emerged that during his confirmation hearings, he had failed to disclose meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Sources tell the Washington Post that Trump considers the decision to be a major factor behind the appointment of a special counsel to lead the Russia probe. Trump has also complained about the Justice Department's handling of his attempt to ban travelers from six Muslim-majority countries. White House press secretary Sean Spicer declined to comment Tuesday when asked whether Trump still has faith in the attorney general. "I have not had that discussion with him," Spicer said. (More Jeff Sessions stories.)