Rod Rosenstein Expected To Step Down After New Attorney General Confirmed

Rod Rosenstein Image by Win McNamee/Getty Images

By Alyssa Fisher January 9, 2019

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein plans to leave his role once President Trump’s nominee for attorney general is confirmed by the Senate, ABC News reported.

Rosenstein told President Trump and White House officials that if William Barr is confirmed, he’ll leave soon after, according to multiple sources familiar with his plans.

Rosenstein reportedly assured them that he would assist Barr with the transition and help him find a replacement deputy.

For more than a year, Rosenstein has been overseeing special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into whether Russia interfered with the 2016 presidential election. Barr would most likely take over that role, since Rosenstein only assumed it after former Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself.

Rosenstein reportedly planned to stay for two years anyway, and there is no indication that Trump is forcing him out of the administration, ABC reported.

Some Democrats expressed concern with Rosenstein’s departure.

“I’m concerned about it because I’ve seen him as a reliable, steady public servant that understands his job, and is willing to do it regardless of political pressure,” Representative Dan Kildee told Hill.TV.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

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