The man’s life has gotten so interesting since that fateful day he took the job as Deputy Attorney General… more interesting than he ever wanted it ever to be, I would suspect.
Now, someone has leaked to ABC News, he’s privately talking about recusing himself from the TrumpRussia investigation.
The senior Justice Department official with ultimate authority over the special counsel's probe of Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 election has privately acknowledged to colleagues that he may have to recuse himself from the matter, which he took charge of only after Attorney General Jeff Sessions' own recusal, sources tell ABC News.
...
Rosenstein, who authored an extensive and publicly-released memorandum recommending Comey's firing, raised the possibility of his recusal during a recent meeting with Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand, the Justice Department's new third-in-command, according to sources.
Although Rosenstein appointed a special counsel to lead the federal probe, he still makes the final decisions about resources, personnel and -- if necessary -- any prosecutions.
I wonder if that weird little statement he made this morning—
...has anything to do with this. Wanted to forestall the story? Or signal it was coming? A blink for help? Or related to something that’s yet to come today?
In strange times, people do strange things.
ABC quotes the now-famous “I’m being investigated by the man who told me to commit the crime” tweet, hinting it’s connected.
Finally, the recusal probably won’t happen right away, so enjoy your weekend.
One source said Rosenstein has yet to formally ask career attorneys inside the Justice Department for their opinion on whether he should recuse himself. Any serious contemplation of recusal likely wouldn't happen unless Rosenstein seeks such an opinion.
Then again, in strange times, people do strange things, and it’s not even 11 a.m. on Friday.
Friday, Jun 16, 2017 · 4:33:03 PM +00:00 · Karen Wehrstein
“An effort to undermine anyone with the ability to bring any misdeeds to light”
Senator Dianne Feinstein weighs in, in a statement issued today:
“I’m growing increasingly concerned that the president will attempt to fire not only Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating possible obstruction of justice, but also Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein who appointed Mueller.
“The message the president is sending through his tweets is that he believes the rule of law doesn’t apply to him and that anyone who thinks otherwise will be fired. That’s undemocratic on its face and a blatant violation of the president’s oath of office.
…
“It’s becoming clear to me that the president has embarked on an effort to undermine anyone with the ability to bring any misdeeds to light, be that Congress, the media or the Justice Department. The Senate should not let that happen. We’re a nation of laws that apply equally to everyone, a lesson the president would be wise to learn.”