Attorney General Jeff Sessions has decided not to recuse himself from the ongoing probe into Michael Cohen, President Trump’s personal lawyer. He might, however, think about remaining aloof from some parts of the investigation.
Sessions is going to remain in the loop on all of the important details on Cohen’s case. This is a big deal. Will Sessions alert Trump if the investigation goes south? The White House hinted this week that Cohen would receive a presidential pardon if he were hit with serious charges.
“The attorney general considers his potential recusal on a matter-by-matter basis as may be needed,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
“To the extent a matter comes to the attention of his office that may warrant consideration of recusal, the attorney general would review the issue and consult with the appropriate Department ethics experts.”
Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation in 2017 to the chagrin of the White House. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is now in charge of the sprawling probe.
A few Republican lawmakers complained that Sessions should have been more involved in the original raid into Cohen’s offices. The inquiry was sparked by payments Cohen made to women who claim to have had affairs with President Trump.
“In light of the fact that the action was not directly related to the Russian investigation, and the subject was the personal attorney of the president of the United States, it would appear that the attorney general should have been involved,” Representatives Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows, Lee Zeldin, Ron DeSantis and Matt Gaetz wrote.
Trump probably would have been furious if Sessions had recused himself from the Cohen investigation. The Justice Department has been pushed around by the left for too long. It’s time that the Trump administration stood up for itself.
(Source: Bloomberg)