National security adviser Michael Flynn's recent resignation has raised suspicion of his contact with the Russians, initiating investigations to find out about the possible violation of constitutional precepts. Such investigations, normally carried out by the attorney general, however, has excluded Attorney General Jeff Sessions in this case, due given his deep and long-standing ties to President Trump and many of Trump's top advisers.
Following the gravity of issues raised by the event, the intelligence community in American has somewhat reached an idea that Russia tried to influence the U.S. election. In fact, reports from The Washington Post revealed that Flynn may have lied to the FBI about that contact.
Sessions's recusal concerning Flynn's investigation is required by the Justice Department's own rules and regulations. The department clearly states that "no employee shall participate in a criminal investigation or prosecution" if he appears to have "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 any person".
During the U.S. election campaign, Trump identified Sessions as a key adviser to his administration, according to Washington Examiner. Sessions was also the first senator to endorse Trump and even served on the same campaign council as Flynn. His close alliance to Trump certainly makes the appearance of bias unavoidable in this case.
Sessions's recusal from the Flynn case is important to not only comply with the law but also to ensure that the public can obtain transparency from the investigation, ensuring that it is being conducted in a thorough and impartial way. Until he recuses himself from this investigation, Americans will remain suspicious about every meeting and conversation that takes place between the president and attorney general.
