Rod Rosenstein Resigns

Deputy attorney general will leave May 11
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 29, 2019 5:24 PM CDT
Rosenstein Resigns
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's resignation takes effect May 11.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has submitted a letter of resignation to President Trump. It's effective May 11, the AP reports. His departure ends a nearly two-year run defined by his appointment of a special counsel to investigate connections between the Trump campaign and Russia. The departure had been expected since the confirmation of William Barr as attorney general. Rosenstein intended to leave in mid-March but stayed for the completion of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Mueller submitted his report last month; Rosenstein and Barr concluded that Trump did not obstruct justice. Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller in 2017, had overseen his team's work for much of the past two years and defended his investigation.

Rosenstein often felt Trump's wrath, especially after hiring Mueller, per CNN. Just after being confirmed as deputy attorney general, Rosenstein wrote a memo critical of James Comey, who was then the FBI director. Trump cited that memo in firing Comey. Rosenstein then discussed wearing a "wire" to record his talks with Trump and possibly invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. Rosenstein defended his handling of the Russia investigation earlier this month. "It's not our job to render conclusive factual findings. We just decide whether it is appropriate to file criminal charges," he said.

(More Rod Rosenstein stories.)

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