Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) on Tuesday asserted in a congressional hearing that Republicans have a plan to oust Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein “on Friday” of this week.
During a hearing about the Department of Justice Inspector General’s report on the FBI bias during the 2016 campaign, Lee interrupted a line of questioning from Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio.
“Is it not appropriate to ask the question as to what is the germaneness of the gentleman’s line of questioning and whether or not we’re dealing with the report or we’re dealing with the Republicans’ attempt to undermine [the Russia investigation] and to fire Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, which you are planning to do on Friday?” Lee asked.
Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) quickly shut down Lee by remarking that she had not stated a parliamentary inquiry.
Lee was likely referring to reports that House Speaker Paul Ryan and other ranking Republicans have demanded that Rosenstein comply with a subpoena to turn over records from investigations into Clinton’s email and Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
Republicans in Congress, however, do not have the power to fire Rosenstein. According to Justice Department rules, the president would have to ask Attorney General Jeff Sessions to fire the deputy attorney general. Trump would have the right to fire Sessions if he refused the order.
Watch the video clip below.