President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday he has "total" confidence in Attorney General Jeff Sessions amid a controversy over Sessions' meetings with a Russian diplomat last year.

Trump made the comment while preparing to deliver a speech about his proposed defense buildup aboard the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.

Pool reporters asked Trump if Sessions should have testified truthfully about his contacts, and answered, "I think he probably did."

Asked if Sessions should recuse himself, the president said, "I don’t think so."

