A third Republican congressman has called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to step down, growing the group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill calling on Sessions to step aside.
Rep. Christ Stewart of Utah, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said in an interview on Friday, “this is hard for me, it really is, because I think Jeff Sessions is one of the most honorable men in Washington, D.C. But we have been weakened in our investigation into very important concerns at the Department of Justice and the FBI. Jeff Sessions is not able to take the reins and direct that investigation.”
Because Sessions has recused himself from any and all matters relating to the Russia investigation, he is unable to participate into inquiries of improper handling of the investigation by certain members of the FBI. Republicans have accused certain members of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of harboring a bias against President Trump and have repeatedly called for inquiries into, what they consider, improper handling of the investigation.
Two other Republican congressman, Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, have also recently called on Sessions to resign. In an op-ed the two wrote that if Sessions couldn’t address the concerns with the FBI immediately, “then we have one final question needing an answer: When is it time for a new attorney general? Sadly, it seems the answer is now.”