I agree with your assessment. In fact, I half way suspect and hope that this is a plot between Sessions and Gowdy. The reason might be to give Sessions the cover to get back into the investigation. The timing makes me suspect that the IG’s report will be rekeased in the next week or two, and there will be a lot of smoke, but no fire. The conclusion that the IG might suggest is that there is enough evidence to proceed but he does not have enough statutory power to do so. That being the case, Justice would be forced to investigate, but as Gowdy pointed out, they can not investigate themselves. Therefore, Sessions would be forced to appoint an independent or just fold up and admit he has lost control and leave it to Rosenstein. I could be totally wrong, but at least with the request in writing, Justice will be forced to do something. If I am right, it is a beautiful strategy, in my opinion.
Definitely some behind-the-headlines communication is likely going on there.
I also, as a Trump voter but not a Trump sycophant, kinda believe this is all part of his professional wrestling style of phoniness. Meaning I think it is possible The Don is using the most honest guy in DC, Jeff, as very public political cover - while somewhat quietly launching off the top rope to get nearly everything Trump ran on done under the radar.
In the meantime, the bits and bites of news slowly come to light which is turning the public in favor of doing what even the Don flipped to say he would NOT do about 10 seconds after being elected - go after the Hillary cabal.
Like it or not, our president is the most purely political creature ever elected. A true populist who likes to build support before pulling the trigger on political things. It's not always the constitutionally correct or morally right thing (2A, etc) but he is what he is and I can recognize it without always liking it.
Who could logically claim that DOJeff is simply a political hack appointed only to protect a corrupt (in lib eyes, not mine) Trump when Sessions has done literally everything sometimes painfully by-the-book all along - which he has always done throughout his storied career?
Look at what the ruse (if it is one) has accomplished already. Even Ryan and the establishment guys in Congress have warned Trump NOT to fire the very productive AG even though Jeff is doing many things Ryan and the open borders crowd absolutely hate.