Is Recusal Necessary? Trump: "I Don't Think So." Then Sessions Recuses Himself.

Like his former national security advisor Michale Flynn and despite widespread calls for resignation, president affirms "total confidence" in Attorney General Jeff Sessions

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Lauren McCauley

Responding to growing pressure both from his colleagues and the public at large, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Thursday that he is recusing himself from federal investigations into possible Russian interference in the 2016 election.  

Though he continued to deny the accusation that he lied under oath as "totally false," Sessions said he spoke with his staff and they recommended recusal. "They said that, since I had involvement with the campaign, I should not be part of any campaign investigation," Sessions said.

"This announcement should not be interpreted as confirmation of the existence of any investigation or suggestive of the scope of any such investigation," he added.

While members of his staff may have recommended the move, it appears as though Sessions' boss, President Donald Trump, thought the recusal was wholly unnecessary.

Asked by reporters on Thursday afternoon if Sessions should submit to the demands for recusal, Trump answered, "I don't think so at all." And repeated, "I don't think so at all."

Trump said he had "total confidence" in his Attorney General and when asked by another reporter if and when he was aware that Sessions had spoken to Russia's ambassador, Trump replied, "I wasn't aware at all."

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