There is yet another reason we need an independent special counsel to be in charge of the Trump Russia investigation.
Experts are making the case that Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice Rod Jay Rosenstein is now a witness to Donald Trump’s attempts to obstruct justice by demanding loyalty from fired FBI Director James Comey. As such, he can’t oversee the FBI investigation into Trump’s RussiaGate.
“Now a NEW ground for special counsel: Rosenstein has a conflict B/C a witness 2 possible trump obstruction,” Norm Eisen wrote on Twitter Friday morning. “As of “loyalty” story, Rosenstein has a conflict: he is a witness to trump statements that go 2obstruction issue. Must appt special counsel.”
As of "loyalty" story, Rosenstein has a conflict: he is a witness to trump statements that go 2obstruction issue. Must appt special counsel
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— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) May 12, 2017
Now a NEW ground for special counsel: Rosenstein has a conflict B/C a witness 2 possible trump obstruction @CREWcrew https://t.co/YY4GHuWGjD
— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) May 12, 2017
The grounds for appointing a Special Counsel already existed.
On May 10th, Eisen was one of many to sign a letter to Rosenstein asking him to immediately appoint an Independent Special Counsel because he recommended the firing of Comey. “Furthermore, you are also involved in this action, having written a memo to Attorney General Sessions that recommended the firing of Director Comey, barely two weeks after you assumed office as Deputy Attorney General. Your personal involvement in the firing of Director Comey undermines your ability to continue to lead the Justice Department’s Russia investigation.”
Also:
20 Attorneys General are calling for an independent special counsel after Trump's firing of James Comey. pic.twitter.com/1vrXDubme3
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 11, 2017
There is no direction but an independent special counsel at this point. Nothing else is acceptable.
Anyone who refuses to appoint one should be seen as actively obstructing an investigation into possible enemies of the United States, residing in the White House and colluding with a hostile foreign government.
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