Paul Ryan opposes bid to impeach US deputy attorney general

WASHINGTON: US House Speaker Paul Ryan said he opposes an effort by conservative lawmakers to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the investigation into Russia’s election interference.

A small group of President Donald Trump’s allies in the House of Representatives introduced articles of impeachment against Rosenstein Monday, arguing that the Justice Department has failed to provide documents to Congress about multiple investigations, including a 2016 probe of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

“Do I support the impeachment of Rod Rosenstein? No I do not,” Ryan told reporters.

Ryan, himself a Republican, said that while he supports efforts to obtain documents requested by Republican lawmakers, he does not believe the apparent Justice Department stonewalling rises “to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors.”

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions came to his deputy’s defense, saying Thursday that he has “the highest confidence in him.”

The effort to oust Rosenstein is being led by Jim Jordan, an Ohio congressman who announced Thursday he is entering the race to succeed Ryan as speaker, and House Freedom Caucus head Mark Meadows.

Ryan is not seeking re- election in November.

Jordan and Meadows do not need Ryan’s support in order to move the impeachment process forward.

Since such efforts are privileged motions, Jordan and Meadows could bypass the traditional hearings and floor debate, and force a quick vote on impeachment.

But they appeared to opt against that route this week, and the House adjourns Thursday for a five-week recess.

Democrats blasted the impeachment threat as an effort to undermine or even end the Russia probe, which is also studying whether anyone in Trump’s 2016 campaign conspired or coordinated with Russians. — AFP