Attorney General Jeff Sessions continues to stand by his decision to recuse himself from the Russia probe, telling an audience Saturday he did the right thing.
Sessions says he has no regrets on Russia recusal, saying at a Federalist Society event today: “No I don’t,” when asked whether the decision a year ago to step away from Russia probe was a mistake. “I think that’s what I had to do,” he said. Trump, of course, fiercely disagrees.
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) March 10, 2018
Business Insider, picking up on the CNN news, says Sessions referred to the Department of Justice rule that dictated his decision.
The DOJ regulation Sessions cited Saturday — 28 CFR 45.2— says "no DOJ employee may participate in a criminal investigation or prosecution if he has a personal or political relationship with any person or organization substantially involved in the conduct that is the subject of the investigation or prosecution, or who would be directly affected by the outcome."
The rule goes on to define a political relationship as "a close identification with an elected official, candidate, political party or campaign organization arising from service as a principal advisor or official." A personal relationship "means a close and substantial connection of the type normally viewed as likely to induce partiality."
President Trump has made it abundantly clear he is unhappy with Sessions' decision, but the AG says he is committed to following the law.
Trump has taken his frustration to Twitter, where he has often vented about Sessions, calling him "beleaguered" and criticizing his handling of investigations at the DOJ.
In an unusual statement following Trump's most recent attack on him earlier this month, Sessions said he stood by his decision.
"As long as I am the Attorney General, I will continue to discharge my duties with integrity and honor," Sessions said in a statement, "and this Department will continue to do its work in a fair and impartial manner according to the law and Constitution."
Jeff Sessions says he has no regrets over recusing himself from the Russia investigation (Business Insider)