Was Rosenstein The One Who Launched Obstruction Of Justice Inquiry Into Trump?

Washington, D.C. was riveted Wednesday as news broke that President Trump was under investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller for possible obstruction of justice over his firing of ex-FBI Director James Comey and other actions in the Russia probe. But the most intriguing tidbit? Rod Rosenstein might have ordered the obstruction probe.

The investigation into the president began “a few days after” Comey’s May 9 sacking, the Washington Post reported. Mueller was appointed special counsel on May 17. So the language leaves open the possibility that Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general in charge of the Russia probe until Mueller’s appointment, could have launched the inquiry against Trump.

That would be a bizarre turn of events, given Rosenstein’s role in justifying the Comey firing through a memo that faulted the ex-director’s leadership. But one not entirely shocking, considering the taboos and norms that have already been breached in Washington since the new president took office.

Click over to Talking Points Memo, where Josh Marshall takes apart the possible role of Rosenstein and current acting FBI Directo Andrew McCabe in the obstruction of justice probe.

Contact Daniel J. Solomon at solomon@forward.com or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon