>> you said two things that i want to dive deeper into. one of them has to do with whitaker not recusing himself. from the overseeing the special counsel investigation. you noted that the department of justice ethics department did suggest that he does recuse himself. i have to point out, they also said it was a close call and, quote, credible arguments could be made either way. there was no actual conflict of interest that would bar the attorney general from an actual conflict of interest. >> because you're required to remove yourself when there's an appearance of a conflict of interest. it's not just whether you have an actual conflict but if the public can't have confidence in what you do, that undermines the public faith in our justice system. so when i was a ground level assistant u.s. attorney, i would have had to step aside from anything in which it appeared i was acting improper, whether i was acting improper or not. that same principle that ought to apply, in spades,