Updated: Now We Know WHY Devin Finally Recused Himself From the Russian Investigation

Updated below with the likely reason Nunes recused himself:

The statement from Nunes:

Politico reports that Reps. Michael Conaway (R-Texas), Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) and Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) will take over (and especially in the case of Gowdy, that’s not exactly heartening, but we’ll take what we can get).

ah, I see Nunes shitshow will be replaced with the quiet professionalism of a Trey Gowdy investigation

— Simon Maloy (@SimonMaloy) April 6, 2017

Nunes will continue to serve as Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, he just won’t be involved with the Russian probe.

I guess the question is: Why now? Especially when it seems like the media’s focus has turned to Susan Rice for the time being, anyway? There’s gotta be something else going on, right?

Of course Nunes has to step aside. You can't be Chairman of, and be investigated BY, the same Committee. https://t.co/1rTxvFcV7S

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) April 6, 2017

Here’s Paul Ryan’s statement:

My statement on Chairman Nunes: https://t.co/0ZEtdeQ39Z pic.twitter.com/8m8BOCDs0G

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) April 6, 2017

For those keeping count at home: Michael Flynn has been forced to resign, Jeff Sessions has had to recuse himself, and now Devin Nunes is stepping aside all because of an investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

But Susan Rice! (It’s the new, “But her emails!”)

—-

Update: Though Devin Nunes says that he recused himself because of lawsuits being filed by left-wing groups, it’s more likely that he recused himself because — as Keith Olbermann suggested above — Nunes himself is being investigated, here by the actual House Intelligence Committee for unauthorized disclosures of classified information.

Oh, the fucking irony.

House Ethics Committee confirms it is investigating Devin Nunes for possible disclosures of classified information pic.twitter.com/MF6gNEEUnZ

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) April 6, 2017