:: Why was Rachel Brand removed? ::
Because, if [RR] had chosen to recuse, he would not have his trusted lieutenant to take over (or at least cover for his weasely-ness).
The removal of Brand caused [[[RR]]] to be [[RR]] and so forth.
1 bracket for recuse, I bracket for resign, 1 bracket for termination. [[RR]] became [RR] when he was removed from the FISA authorization chain; “recused”.
One last bracket...terminated.
RR (with or without brackets) has not resigned or been terminated.
Hence, it is still possible he will recuse.