US Attorney General Jeff Sessions [official website] recused himself [statement] Thursday from probes into Russian interference during the 2016 election. Sessions was a high-ranking member of the Trump campaign before becoming attorney general and many suggested it would be appropriate for him to remove himself from the inquiry [Reuters report]. Sessions stated in a press conference that he would recuse himself from “any existing or future investigations” regarding the 2016 presidential campaign due to his prominent role. Concerns were also voiced since Sessions had admitted to speaking with Russian delegates on two occasions. However, many supporters of Sessions have dismissed these allegations [Fox News report] as political theater stating that it is common for sitting senators to meet with ambassadors.

The recusal of Sessions is the latest headline regarding Russia’s potential involvement in the 2016 presidential election. Earlier this month National Security Advisor Mike Flynn resigned [Politico Report] amid reports that he had discussions with Russian officials regarding sanctions and lied about those discussions. In January a group of US Senators introduced legislation [JURIST report] aimed at implementing mandatory sanctions against Russia for its interference in the election. The bill was introduced just days after a report [text, PDF] by the US intelligence community determined that “Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election.” In December the White House announced that sanctions would be enacted [JURIST report] against Russia as a response to Russia’s involvement in the hacking during the recent election and for the treatment of US diplomats in Russia.