Jeff Sessions Doesn’t Think Trump Grabbing Women’s Genitals Would Have Been Sexual Assault

When asked by The Weekly Standard in the post-debate spin room Sunday about Donald Trump‘s “grab ’em in the pussy” comment, Republican Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions said it wouldn’t have been sexual assault if Trump had actually gone through with it.

“This was very improper language, and he’s acknowledged that,” the Trump surrogate said.

“But beyond the language, would you characterize the behavior described in that as sexual assault if that behavior actually took place?” asked the Standard.

“I don’t characterize that as sexual assault,” he responded. “I think that’s a stretch. I don’t know what he meant.”

Even when specifically asked about grabbing genitals, the former U.S. Attorney demurred. “I don’t know. It’s not clear that he—how that would occur.”

Other Trump surrogates approached by the Standard were equally evasive. “I don’t know,” said RNC communications director Sean Spicer. “I’m not a lawyer.”

[Image via screengrab]

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