Jeff Sessions makes a big decision about the demand for a second special counsel

After months of demands from many allies and supporters of President Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions made a decision about whether to name a second special counsel to investigate alleged FISA abuses and Uranium One.

Here's what he decided

Sessions said Thursday that there would be a federal prosecutor investigating the alleged scandals, but that he would not name a special counsel as of yet.

“I write in response to recent letters requesting the appointment of a Special Counsel to review certain prosecutorial and investigative determinations made by the Department of Justice in 2016 and 2017. I take the concerns you raise seriously,” Sessions wrote in a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.).

Sessions said that U.S. Attorney John Huber has been investigating the matter in conjunction with the Inspector General for months. Sessions did not rule out the appointment of a special counsel, but said that he would wait for the recommendation from Huber after his investigation is completed.

Jay Sekulow, a personal lawyer for President Trump, called for a second special counsel in December 2017, while Rep. Gowdy added his voice to the chorus in March 2018.

What was the response?

Byron York of the Washington Examiner said that some lawmakers were unhappy with Sessions' decision. "Critics in House unhappy. 'A farce,' says one. 'A joke,' says another. Others holding fire, for now," he tweeted after the decision was announced.

Goodlatte and Gowdy responded to the letter saying they still believed a special counsel was necessary.

“While we continue to believe the appointment of a second Special Counsel is necessary, this is a step in the right direction," they said in the statement. "We expect that U.S. Attorney Huber, given his reputation, will conduct an independent and thorough investigation."

"Such an investigation is critical to restoring the reputation of both the Bureau and DOJ in the eyes of the American people," they added.

Here's the CNN news report on the news:

CNN panelist Amanda Carpenter said that Sessions should expect greater and more forceful calls for a special counsel from the right after his decision.