More Evidence of Trump Asking for Loyalty Pledges
The man in charge of Robert Mueller and the Russia investigation was asked by President Donald Trump to confirm his loyalty to him in a private December meeting just before he was about to testify before Congress. Wednesday afternoon CNN broke the story, reporting that Trump asked Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein if he was on his “team.”
Rosenstein had gone to the White House “seeking President Donald Trump’s help,” CNN reports, “in fighting off document demands from House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes.”
But Trump was more interested in asking Rosenstein where Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation was heading, and then, asked, are you “on my team?” CNN reports.
Rosenstein “appeared surprised by the President’s questions,” which were highly inappropriate, and responded in a generic fashion.
“Of course, we’re all on your team, Mr. President,” Rosenstein reportedly told Trump.
It’s just one more example of Trump demanding what CNN’s Jake Tapper and others are calling “loyalty pledges,” or “loyalty oaths,” especially from those who have no business giving them. Federal employees take oaths to protect the Constitution, not the president.
Fired FBI Director Jim Comey also said Trump had asked him for a loyalty pledge. “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty,” Trump had told Comey. The president it was recently learned, asked now former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, “Who did you vote for?”
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