In this case lying = disinformation. You have no need to know what he really thinks so he (Sessions) won’t say. Disinformation or ‘lying’ in intelligence ops or any op isn’t a vice, you have no need to know. ‘Need to know’ is more important than your clearance level, and the public’s in this case is below confidential, this is why we have elections and don’t poll everything before we act. Not a Ten Commandment issue or one of integrity. The press probably wanted a statement, so he gave them one.
Sessions just evidently had a reputation of ONE in D.C. as being untainted and untaintable.