Recusal is the act of a judge or prosecutor being removed or excusing one's self from a legal case due to conflict of interest or other good reason. Recusal is governed by federal laws and state laws and codes of ethics, which vary by state.
A recusal is appropriate when a conflict of interest exists between an employee's job duties and financial interests (including interests in future employment) or certain business or personal relationships or outside activities. Employees are strongly encouraged to document their recusals in writing.
Recusal means the self-removal of a judge or prosecutor because of a conflict of interest.
There is a law that says a justice shall recuse under certain circumstances. It's the same law that applies to lower court judges in the federal system. The justices generally pay homage to that law, but do not apply it strictly to themselves.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the FBI's investigation of Russian meddling in the U.S. election. CBS News
Jeff Sessions recusal 04:19. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday recused himself from the FBI's investigation of Russian meddling in the U.S. election. This comes after the Justice Department acknowledged Sessions met with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, during the campaign.
Last month, the president fired National Security Adviser Michael Flynn after Flynn lied to the Vice President about contacts he had with Ambassador Kislyak.
Late Thursday, President Donald Trump issued a statement saying he believed Sessions' statements were "not intentional" and said there is a "total witch hunt" by Democrats.
We now know other Trump associates also met with Kislyak either during or after the campaign.
No administration official has been accused of collusion -- but questions are being asked about why top Trump officials have been evasive in explaining their meetings with Kislyak.
During his confirmation process, Sessions was asked in a written questionnaire if he had any contact with "the Russian government about the 2016 election." He responded "no."