Justice official overseeing Mueller could be ousted

ROD ROSENSTEIN, the US deputy attorney general overseeing the Russia investigation, appeared on the brink of departure yesterday in the wake of claims that he suggested secretly recording Donald Trump. Mr Rosenstein was reported to have either offered his resignation or was expecting to be fired at a meeting in the White House.

However, Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said that the president would meet Mr Rosenstein on Thursday.

Mr Trump and Mr Rosenstein had an “extended conversation”, Ms Sanders added. The departure of Mr Rosenstein, who oversees the Russia probe because Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, recused himself, would come at a critical time for the investigation.

He appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate Russian election meddling in May 2017 and has given the him considerable leeway. Mr Rosenstein’s position has appeared precarious for days after The New York Times reported on private discussions he had after Mr Trump’s firing of James Comey, the FBI director, last year.

Mr Rosenstein was said to have suggested wearing a wire to record the president and discussed the 25th Amendment – a way to remove a president if he is deemed unfit for office – during conversations with Justice Department and FBI officials.

Mr Rosenstein said the story, published on Friday, was “inaccurate”, adding: “Let me be clear – based on my personal dealings with the president, there is no basis to invoke the 25th Amendment.” He later said: “I never pursued or authorised recording the president and any suggestion that I have ever advocated for the removal of the president is absolutely false.”

If Mr Rosenstein is fired, his position would likely pass to Noel Francisco, the current solicitor general, who has previously been critical of FBI overreach.