Trump declares total confidence in embattled attorney general

US President Donald Trump today declared "total" confidence in Attorney General Jeff Sessions who faced calls to resign over undisclosed contacts with Russia during last year's election campaign.

Trump told reporters during a visit to a US aircraft carrier that he "wasn't aware" that Sessions held two meetings last year with Russian ambassador to Washington Sergey Kislyak.

Asked whether he retained confidence in his attorney general, Trump responded: "Total.