Ripping into Rosenstein, GOP urges end to probe
WASHINGTON — Republican fury with the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election boiled over Thursday at a congressional hearing where lawmakers repeatedly attacked the senior Justice Department official overseeing the probe and urged him to end it imminently.
At a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein angrily denied GOP accusations that he had stonewalled demands for details on politically sensitive investigations, but his assurances were met with skepticism and scorn, and halfway through the hearing the Republican-controlled House approved a measure demanding he do more.
For hours, Rosenstein, a Donald Trump appointee, faced some of his fiercest congressional critics at an emergency hearing called for Rosenstein and FBI director Christopher Wray to answer questions about a recent inspector general’s report that highlighted bias within the bureau and found serious failings in how federal law enforcement handled the high-profile investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.
But the questions mostly centered on Rosenstein — and Republican accusations that he has withheld key details about that matter and the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into whether any of President Trump’s associates conspired with Russia during the election.
Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., delivered a lengthy monologue on the anti-Trump text messages exchanged by two FBI officials, and then pleaded with Rosenstein to conclude the Russia investigation.
“We’ve seen the bias — we need to see the evidence,” Gowdy said. “If you have evidence of wrongdoing by any member of the Trump campaign, present it to the damn grand jury. If you have evidence that this president acted inappropriately, present it to the American people. There’s an old saying that justice delayed is justice denied. I think right now all of us are being denied. Whatever you got, finish it the hell up, because this country is being torn apart.”
Grand juries in Washington and New York City have spent months hearing evidence related to Trump associates.
Rosenstein responded that he shared Gowdy’s concerns but added: “With regard to the investigation, I’ve heard suggestions that we should just close the investigation. I think the best thing we can do is finish it appropriately and reach a conclusion.”
Committee Democrats tried to defend Rosenstein, and blasted the GOP for what they said was a disingenuous attempt to discredit the investigation.
“The purpose of this hearing is to undermine the FBI, to undermine Mr. Rosenstein, and to undermine our system of justice,’’ said Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., before issuing a blunt warning to Rosenstein: “They want you. They want to impeach you. They want to indict you, they want to get rid of you.”
Throughout Thursday’s hearing, as Republicans leveled accusations at him, Rosenstein tried to remain composed but occasionally snapped at lawmakers when he wasn’t allowed to answer a charge.
“Why are you keeping information from Congress?” demanded Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a staunch defender of President Trump. “I don’t agree with you, congressman,” Rosenstein shot back. “That is not accurate, sir.”
Jordan accused the deputy attorney general of redacting documents to hide information embarrassing to the FBI.
“Mr. Jordan, I am the deputy attorney general of the United States,” Rosenstein answered. “I’m not the person doing the redacting.”
As Jordan interrupted Rosenstein to level more accusations, Rosenstein shot back: “Your use of this to attack me personally is deeply wrong. ... I’m not trying to hide anything.”
Jordan responded, “It’s not personal.”