January 7, 2018

Sessions 'recusal' provided cover for his ongoing efforts to impede Russia investigation

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/1/5/1730052/-Sessions-recusal-provided-cover-for-his-ongoing-efforts-to-impede-Russia-investigation
"This collaboration between Trump and Sessions to interfere with the Russia investigation isn’t just obstruction, it’s first class corruption. "I have absolute right to do what I want to do with the Justice Department.” Trump not only said it, he’s demonstrated he believes it. And Sessions is helping to make it true. Trump claims to have “absolute” control of the Justice Department as an instrument of his will. So it’s not surprising that White House Counsel Don McGahn stepped in to stop Sessions from recusing himself. Mr. McGahn’s argument to Mr. Sessions that day was twofold: that he did not need to step aside from the inquiry until it was further along, and that recusing himself would not stop Democrats from saying he had lied. After Mr. Sessions told Mr. McGahn that career Justice Department officials had said he should step aside, Mr. McGahn said he understood and backed down. But it’s since become abundantly clear that the recusal was not merely a face-saving move by Sessions, but an attempt at misdirection. If there was any actual intent to avoid the topic of the investigation, Sessions soon folded in the face of badgering from Trump. Despite all claims about Trump’s frustration over Sessions’ official recusal, there was not a moment’s hesitation when it came to finding the right person to rid Trump of the FBI director who refused to fold on command."