The deputy attorney general is speaking out in response to
rumors that President Trump is considering firing Special Counsel Bob Mueller.
Reports have surfaced in the last 24 hours that the president may fire the head
of the independent investigation into possible collusion by members of the
Trump with Russia to interfere in the 2016 elections.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appeared before the Senate
Appropriations Justice, Science and Related Agencies subcommittee after
Attorney General Jeff Sessions abruptly cancelled a planned appearance.
Rosenstein, who hired Mueller after Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation,
was asked by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), “Have you seen good cause for
firing Mueller?”
“I have not,” Rosenstein answered according to reports in The
New York Times. “You have my assurance that we are going to faithfully
follow that regulation, and Director Mueller is going to have the full
independence he needs to conduct that investigation.”
Shaheen pointed out that under the law creating the special counsel
position, the president cannot fire Mueller. Only the attorney general, in this
case Rosenstein since Sessions has recused himself, can fire the special
counsel and only for good cause.
“I’m not going to follow any orders unless I believe that
those are lawful and appropriate orders,” Mr. Rosenstein said, adding: “If
there were good cause, I would consider. If there were not good cause, it would
not matter what anybody says.”
There was no indication why Attorney General Sessions sent
Rosenstein to testify in his place.
Originally published
on The Resurgent
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