Attorney General William Barr will not recuse himself from overseeing the Russia investigation as Democrats had hoped.

CNN reported on Monday night that newly-confirmed Attorney General William Barr has announced he will not recuse himself from overseeing the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Democrats raised concerns over Barr’s opinions on the investigation after he penned a memo in June 2018 stating he believed President Donald Trump’s firing of former FBI Director James Comey should not be construed as obstruction of justice.

Though he said he would consult with ethics officials, CNN noted, at no point did Barr promise to recuse himself from the investigation.

Justice Department spokesperson Kerri Kupec said on Monday, "Following General Barr's confirmation, senior career ethics officials advised that General Barr should not recuse himself from the Special Counsel's investigation.”

Kupec added: “Consistent with that advice, General Barr has decided not to recuse.”