this is just one anon's theory. i don't claim to be right but it makes sense to me…
sessions had to recuse so he could lay the groundwork for what's to come. the russia investigation obviously involves hrc and others, including rosenstein and mueller. in my opinion, if he didn't recuse, bad things would've happened. it allowed him to be left alone "stealth bomber" "silent executioner". if this theory is correct, whitaker would not recuse because he's the man with the plan. this was all planned from the beginning. i think POTUS being pissed at sessions for recusing was merely optics. senate had to have a larger majority.
have faith