Lindsey Graham grills Sessions on Russian hacking in visibly uncomfortable exchange

During his turn to question Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) in the confirmation hearing for President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general pick, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) took a few minutes to address allegations of Russian hacking and election interference.

Graham began by asking Sessions, "Do you think that the Russians were behind hacking into our election?"

"I have done no research into that. I know just what the media says about it," Sessions answered.

Graham then asked Sessions if he liked and trusted the FBI, trying to pin Sessions down to a specific answer on federal investigations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

"Are you aware of the fact that the FBI has concluded that it was the Russian intelligence services who hacked into the DNC and [Hillary Clinton campaign Chairman Leon] Podesta's emails?" he asked, refusing to make eye contact.

After Sessions responded affirmatively, Graham continued, "From your point of view, there's no reason for us to be suspicious of them?"

"Of their decision? I'm sure it was honorably reached," Sessions stated.

Graham pushed Sessions to elaborate, and Sessions went on to explain his opinion that Russian interference is a significant event and that we, as a nation, have to react to that.

Graham has been an outspoken proponent of punishing the Russian government for their involvement in the election, saying that he believes Trump should "let everybody know in America, Republicans and Democrats, that you’re going to make Russia pay a price for trying to interfere.”