AG Sessions Will Not Recuse Himself From Cohen Investigation – Only on Certain Issues

 by Cristina Laila April 24, 2018 157 Comments

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has decided not to recuse himself from the investigation into Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. 

Don’t get too excited because Sessions will consider stepping back on specific matters tied into the Cohen probe.

Bloomberg reported:

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has decided against recusing himself from the investigation into President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, but will consider stepping back from specific questions tied to the probe, according to a person familiar with the matter.

[…]By staying involved in the Cohen probe, Sessions is entitled to briefings on the status of the investigation, which is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York. That could put Sessions in the position of being asked by Trump, who strongly condemned the FBI raid on his longtime lawyer, to divulge information about the Cohen investigation.

Sessions could also weigh in on specific decisions by prosecutors, including whether to pursue subpoenas and indictments. The attorney general may be asked about his role in the Cohen investigation when he testifies before congressional panels on Wednesday and Thursday.

Sessions will be taking his role in the Cohen probe “matter-by-matter” meaning he will be backing off from certain issues.

The Justice Department said in a statement:

“The attorney general considers his potential recusal on a matter-by-matter basis as may be needed. 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.”

President Trump was furious after Rosenstein approved of the FBI raid of his personal attorney, Michael Cohen.