The new attorney general is named for Americans who took a valiant stand against equality and for oppression—and now it’s Sessions’ turn to be a stone wall in the path of justice.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions faced growing pressure on Tuesday to remove himself from any role in investigating President Trump’s aides and their relationship with Russia, but advisers to Mr. Sessions said he saw no need to do so.

There’s no mechanism to force Sessions to step back or to force the Justice Department to appoint a special outside counsel. Congress can ask. The public can demand. And Sessions can still block any action.

During a bitter confirmation fight that focused partly on his closeness to Mr. Trump, Mr. Sessions said last month that he saw no need to remove himself from any decisions involving Russia-related investigations and the White House, writing that he was “not aware of a basis to recuse myself.” That remains his answer, an adviser to Mr. Sessions said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity in discussing private conversations. None of the recent events involving Mr. Flynn had moved the attorney general to reconsider his stance, the adviser said.

Sally Yates showed exactly what an attorney general interested in justice can do. Which is why Yates is gone. Jefferson Sessions is now demonstrating exactly why Trump was so anxious to have him in place.