Report: Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein Sees No Need to Appoint Special Prosecutor in Russia Probe

 Top Senate Democrats Have Called for Rosenstein to Appoint or Resign

As reported by CNN, sources close to Rod Rosenstein have revealed that the Deputy Attorney General “doesn’t see a need for a special prosecutor” in the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

The report follows a whirlwind of events this week—beginning first with former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates’ testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, spiking with Donald Trump’s controversial decision (or Jeff Sessions’ decision, or even Rosenstein’s decision, depending on who you asked and when) to fire now-former FBI Director James Comey, and culminating with the President of the United States publicly threatening Comey—now a private citizen and potential witness.

“One source says Rosenstein isn’t inclined to make a change unless the FBI investigation appears to be imperiled,” the report reads. “And at this point, FBI officials are confident that the investigation is moving ahead.” 

“To preserve his reputation as a credible prosecutor, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein must appoint an independent special prosecutor to pursue possible criminal charges,” Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin said in a statement. “Or he must resign.”

As The Hill further reported, Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, echoed Durbin’s sentiment. “These investigations are far too important to risk disruption, delay or interference,” she said.

Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, whose jurisdiction included Trump Tower and, like Yates and Comey, was also fired by Donald Trump, penned an open letter to Rosenstein in The New York Times, saying:

Few public servants have found themselves with a choice as weighty as yours, between following their conscience and obeying a leader trying to evade scrutiny — Elliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus, who behaved nobly in Watergate, come to mind. You can add your name to this short, heroic list. Yes, it might cost you your job. But it would save your honor, and so much more besides.

Rod Rosenstein was confirmed in the Senate 94-6 just over two weeks ago. The Deputy Attorney General will brief the full Senate next week on former FBI Director James Comey’s firing.

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined CNN’s request for comment.

 

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