Protests are happening across the country, including Baltimore, over President Trump's pick to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Demonstrators gathered in places like New York and Chicago, and here in Baltimore calling for acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to recuse himself from overseeing the Russia investigation. They want the control to go back to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein because in the past Whitaker has been critical of the investigation.
These 'Nobody is above the law' rallies took place around the country Thursday afternoon following the resignation of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday. Demonstrators are worried about what that could mean for the Russia probe.
Here in Baltimore, protestors gathered at the War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall to make their point. Among those in attendance was Congressman Elijah Cummings who shared his thoughts with the crowd.
"I said this is bigger than Trump, this is bigger than Hillary, this is a fight, a fight for our democracy," Cummings said.
And the demonstrators are not alone in their criticism of the newly named acting U.S. Attorney General. Attorney Generals from 18 states, including Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, sent Matthew Whitaker a letter asking him to recuse himself from any role in overseeing special council Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
The letter also cites Whitaker's past comments criticizing the investigation as the reason why he should recuse himself. They also say Whitaker's recusal in necessary to maintain public trust in the integrity of the investigation and protect the independence of the justice department.
Read the full letter below:
