Sessions praised Comey’s role in the Clinton email investigation:

SESSIONS: Comey “stepped up and told—done what his duty is, I think. He’s got evidence to go forward now with further criminal investigation. He has no other responsibility than to follow that and then tell the American people what he’s doing.”

In sworn testimony, Comey said Trump told him that Sessions had praised his work as FBI Director.

COMEY: “The president and I had had multiple conversations about my job, both before and after he took office. And he had repeatedly told me I was doing a great job and he hoped I would stay. And I had repeatedly assured him that I did intend to stay and serve out the remaining six years of my term.  He told me repeatedly that he had talked to lots of people about me, including our current attorney general, and had learned that I was doing a great job and that I was extremely well-liked by the FBI workforce.”

In sworn testimony, Comey said Trump told him he looked forward to working with him while trying to embrace him at a White House event.

COMEY: “In fact, I just remembered, sitting here, a third one. When—you’ve seen the picture of me walking across the Blue Room. And what the president whispered in my ear was, ‘I really look forward to working with you.’”

In his sworn testimony, Comey said Trump had already told him three times he wanted him to stay on the job before asking for his loyalty in late January.

COMEY: “The next Friday, I have dinner, and the president begins by wanting to talk about my job. And so I’m sitting there, thinking, wait a minute, three times, we’ve already—you’ve already asked me to stay, or talked about me staying.”