The Justice Department said Thursday night that former FBI Director James Comey told the Senate incorrectly that he was “not aware” of any memo or decision outlining Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ recusal from all investigations related to last year’s presidential campaign.
Department spokesman Ian Prior released a statement saying that despite Comey’s testimony, the department sent a memo to Comey on March 2 noting that Sessions had recused himself because of his support for President Trump during the campaign.
That memo specifically advised Comey and others “not to brief the Attorney General” on any matter involving the campaign.
Sessions recused himself from any issue related to the campaign soon after he was sworn in, after studying federal law that encourages recusal in any matter that involves a “political relationship” between the official and the subject of an investigation.
The department also noted that Sessions so far “has not been briefed on or participated in any investigation within the scope of his recusal.”
