Rod Rosenstein sinks to a whole new pro-Trump low
It must be a happy time for Rod Rosenstein, who ended his tenure as Deputy Attorney General while becoming one of the newest 2019 inductees into the Donald Trump Fan Club. At least Rosenstein seems to think so, based on the way he is proudly defending his work with Attorney General William Barr in the name of confusing the public about the Mueller probe. If you’ve been listening to Rosenstein lately and you don’t find him convincing, keep in mind he is new to this sycophancy stuff and is still practicing the suggested tactics outlined on flashcards included in his new members welcome kit.
Rosenstein’s recent behavior caused former FBI Director James Comey to single him out as one whose soul Trump has been eating “in small bites” in a New York Times op-ed. “And how could Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, after the release of Mr. Mueller’s report that detailed Mr. Trump’s determined efforts to obstruct justice, give a speech quoting the president on the importance of the rule of law?” Comey wondered in his piece. “Or on resigning, thank a president who relentlessly attacked both him and the Department of Justice he led for ‘the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations’?”
No longer an employee of the Department of Justice, Rosenstein decided to fire back at Comey’s characterization of him while addressing the Greater Baltimore Committee at its annual meeting yesterday. Rosenstein declared: “Now the former Director is a partisan pundit, selling books and earning speaking fees while speculating about the strength of my character and the fate of my immortal soul. I kid you not. That is disappointing. Speculating about souls is not a job for police and prosecutors. Generally, we base our opinions on eyewitness testimony.” That should be enough for Rosenstein to send away for his first Donald Trump Fan Club achievement pin.
Speaking at Rosenstein’s farewell ceremony on Thursday, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions honored Rosenstein for his service while wishing him well. When it came to Rosenstein’s handling of the Mueller investigation, Sessions appeared to hint at a shared feeling of impotence that must come with the job as a top official in Trump’s DOJ. “Once started, these things become unstoppable … Rod, you did your duty as it fell upon you. You didn’t ask for it, that’s for sure! You initiated the process, you followed the regulations, the system worked its will, and what more can a public servant do?” In other words, “Welcome to the Donald Trump Fan Club, Rod.”
Ron Leshnower is a lawyer and the author of several books, including President Trump’s Month