CNN reports exclusively that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein spoke with a Department of Justice career ethics advisor concerning his continued oversight of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.
For nearly a year, legal experts and journalists have questioned why Rosenstein has not stepped aside from overseeing Mueller's investigation given that he was part of the dramatic firing of FBI Director James Comey. That fact has more recently served as ammunition to attack Rosenstein's credibility by allies of President Donald Trump.
But CNN has now learned that Rosenstein has consulted with the ethics adviser over the course of the investigation on whether he needs to recuse himself, and he has followed that individual's advice ...
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The crux of the issue dates back to last May, when Rosenstein wrote a memo outlining ways Comey had flouted Justice Department protocols leading up to the 2016 election. Trump used the memo to justify firing Comey, but later told NBC "this Russia thing" was on his mind when he fired Comey, and he would have done it regardless of Rosenstein's memo.
Rosenstein's role in the episode has continually raised questions about how he has been able to oversee Mueller's investigation if it delves into potential issues of obstruction of justice.
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Those close to the President say leveraging the recusal as a way to undermine Rosenstein is a newfound approach for the White House team. Until recently, Trump's allies have not wanted to draw attention to the issue and thereby risk acknowledging that the President is under investigation for obstructing justice.
EXCLUSIVE: Rosenstein consulted with ethics adviser at DOJ on Russia probe (CNN)