Acting AG Whitaker Reportedly Has No Plans To Recuse Himself From Russia Investigation
- 6 years ago
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker reportedly has no plans to voluntarily surrender his oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election.
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker reportedly has no plans to voluntarily surrender his oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. The Washington Post reports: "Since stepping into his new role on Wednesday, Whitaker has faced questions — principally from Democrats — about whether he should recuse from the Russia investigation, given that he has written opinion pieces in the past about the investigation, and is a friend and political ally of a witness." According to MSNBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos, coming to a definitive determination on the nature and appropriateness of Whitaker's relationship with President Trump could be difficult. He notes: "The challenge…is that many people are appointed to positions because they have curried favor with an executive. The fact that Whitaker commented on television about the Mueller investigation might indicate bias, but it's hard to say if that rises to the level of a personal or political relationship, or an improper appearance of partiality." Trump announced Whittaker's unusual, meteoric rise from Justice Department chief of staff to the acting attorney general on Wednesday. In a tweet, he stated, "[Whittaker] will serve our Country well," and noted that, "A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date."
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker reportedly has no plans to voluntarily surrender his oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. The Washington Post reports: "Since stepping into his new role on Wednesday, Whitaker has faced questions — principally from Democrats — about whether he should recuse from the Russia investigation, given that he has written opinion pieces in the past about the investigation, and is a friend and political ally of a witness." According to MSNBC Legal Analyst Danny Cevallos, coming to a definitive determination on the nature and appropriateness of Whitaker's relationship with President Trump could be difficult. He notes: "The challenge…is that many people are appointed to positions because they have curried favor with an executive. The fact that Whitaker commented on television about the Mueller investigation might indicate bias, but it's hard to say if that rises to the level of a personal or political relationship, or an improper appearance of partiality." Trump announced Whittaker's unusual, meteoric rise from Justice Department chief of staff to the acting attorney general on Wednesday. In a tweet, he stated, "[Whittaker] will serve our Country well," and noted that, "A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date."