He has been the focus of much of the controversy surrounding Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and the possibility of collusion with the Trump team.
And now, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, is expected to resign from his post at the Justice Department, according to a report from CBS News.
Rosenstein is planning to stay on for a short time after the new attorney general, William Barr, is expected to be confirmed. CBS News correspondent Paula Reid was told Rosenstein always saw this as a two-year position and wants to ensure a smooth transition. But the timing is surprising.
It is not yet clear what Rosenstein’s exit means for the special counsel investigation, which he has overseen since he appointed Robert Mueller. Barr will most likely inherit the oversight of the investigation, but that is not a 100% guarantee. His previous criticism of the investigation is expected to be a central theme in his confirmation hearings next week.
The latest information on the investigation came out on Tuesday. Attorneys for Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chairman, submitted a poorly redacted filing revealing Manafort shared polling data with a Russian operative during the campaign. President Trump has consistently denied any coordination between his campaign and Russia. This is the most prominent evidence to date of contacts between his campaign and Russian businessman with ties to Russian intelligence during the campaign. This is the kind new information we expect in Mueller’s final report.
But congressional Democrats have promised to make sure the whole report is made public. The president’s legal team has signaled they may try to block portions that deal directly with the president by using executive order.
What kind of impact do you think Rosenstein’s departure will have on the existing investigation? We look forward to seeing your comments at the end of the article.
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