Lindsey Graham Demands Explanation Of Rosenstein’s Failure To Recuse
jonathanturley
The recent disclosure of a memo from former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe on a conversation with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on an alleged “cover story” demanded by President Donald Trump for his memo on the firing of McCabe’s boss James Comey: I have already said that the memo may shed more light on the mindset of McCabe than Trump. It is most likely that Trump was asking (as he did with everyone of these individuals) for a statement that he was not a target of the Russian investigation. That is not a cover story. However, the memo does raise the question of why Rosenstein has not recused himself. In August 2017 , I wrote a column calling for Rosenstein to recuse himself. This memo only highlights that obvious need.
My earlier call in 2017 for Rosenstein’s recusal was based on his involvement in the deliberations leading up to and following the firing of Comey. Any obstruction investigation would by necessity have to interview Rosenstein as a witness. Moreover, his actions could be scrutinized or criticized in any final report. This memo is evidence of that very conflict.
