Rod Rosenstein Speaks Out About His Recommendation to Can James Comey

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein briefed the House today and to say it was not a love-fest, at least in the eyes of Democrats, is an understatement.

Rosenstein briefing "a complete waste of time" per Dave Trott

— Erica Werner (@ericawerner) May 19, 2017

Just came out of the House briefing by the Deputy AG. It renewed my confidence that we should have no confidence in this Administration.

— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) May 19, 2017

Overheard from one lawmaker on Rosenstein meeting: "That's 30 minutes of my life I'm never getting back"

— Al Weaver (@alweaver22) May 19, 2017

Rosenstein wouldn’t dish on what was going on about the investigation but what really set them off was his statement about the Comey firing. I’m sure, after Rosenstein’s statement yesterday that he knew Comey was on greased skids and headed to the exit when he wrote his memo, that the Democrats thought there would be hay to be made. This is Rosenstein’s statement:

Good afternoon. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my role in the removal of FBI Director James Comey, although I know you understand that I will not discuss the special counsel’s ongoing investigation. Most importantly, I want to emphasize my unshakeable commitment to protecting the integrity of every federal criminal investigation. There never has been, and never will be, any political interference in any matter under my supervision in the United States Department of Justice.
…
I thought the July 5 press conference was profoundly wrong and unfair both to the Department of Justice and Secretary Clinton. It explicitly usurped the role of the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General and the entire Department of Justice; it violated deeply engrained rules and traditions; and it guaranteed that some people would accuse the FBI of interfering in the election.
…
The next day, October 28, Mr. Comey sent his letter to the Congress announcing that the FBI was reopening the Clinton email investigation. He subsequently has said that he believed he was obligated to send the letter. I completely disagree. He again usurped the authority of the Department of Justice, by sending the letter over the objection of the Department of Justice; flouted rules and deeply engrained traditions; and guaranteed that some people would accuse the FBI of interfering in the election.

Before the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 3, 2017, Director Comey testified under oath about his public statements concerning the Secretary Clinton email investigation. I strongly disagreed with his explanations, particularly his assertion that maintaining confidentiality about criminal investigations constitutes concealment. Nonetheless, I respected him personally.
…
On May 8, I learned that President Trump intended to remove Director Comey and sought my advice and input. Notwithstanding my personal affection for Director Comey, I thought it was appropriate to seek a new leader.

I wrote a brief memorandum to the Attorney General summarizing my longstanding concerns about Director Comey’s public statements concerning the Secretary Clinton email investigation.

I chose the issues to include in my memorandum.
…
It is a candid internal memorandum about the FBI Director’s public statements concerning a high-profile criminal investigation.

I sent my signed memorandum to the Attorney General after noon on Tuesday, May 9.

I wrote it. I believe it. I stand by it.