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A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 14 May 2019

Rosenstein: Russia probe justified, closing it wasn't option

By MICHAEL BALSAMO and comments were reserved
ERIC TUCKER for Comey, whom he had
Associated Press criticized in a May 2017
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fresh memo for his handling of
out of his job as deputy at- the Hillary Clinton email in-
torney general, Rod Rosen- vestigation, including his
stein said Monday that the decision to publicly an-
Justice Department's inves- nounce that the FBI was not
tigation into Russian elec- recommending charges.
tion interference was "justi- He said in his speech that
fied," that he would have though he did not blame
never allowed anyone to Comey for being upset with
interfere with it and that him, "now the former Di-
closing it had not been an rector is a partisan pundit,
option. selling books and earning
He also took aim at former speaking fees while specu-
FBI Director James Com- lating about the strength of
ey, characterizing him as my character and the fate
a "partisan pundit" busy of my immortal soul.
selling books and earning "That is disappointing,"
speaking fees. The barbs Rosenstein added. "Specu-
continued an extraordi- lating about souls is not a
nary public spat between job for police and prosecu-
the two law enforcement tors. Generally we base our
officials, coming days af- opinions on eyewitness tes-
ter Comey said in a televi- timony."
sion interview that he didn't He also said the memo was
view Rosenstein as a per- "correct" and "reasonable
son of high character. under the circumstances,"
The speech before a Balti- even if Trump's reasons for
more advocacy group for firing Comey were different
business and civic leaders from his own.
marked Rosenstein's most Two days after firing Com-
expansive remarks on the ey, Trump acknowledged
recently concluded probe in a television interview that
into Russian election in- Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein speaks during a farewell ceremony in the Great Hall at he was thinking of "this Rus-
terference and potential the Department of Justice in Washington, Thursday, May 9, 2019. Rosenstein is set to step down as sia thing" when he made
coordination between the Deputy Attorney General May 15th. the move.
Trump campaign and Rus- Associated Press Rosenstein said no one
sia. In it, Rosenstein repeat- had told him what reasons
edly distanced himself from there would always be lin- He used his speech, his sec- happy with the move — a for firing Comey should be
President Donald Trump gering doubts about the ond of the day, to defend likely reference to Trump put in the memo — though
— who has decried the in- scope of Russian efforts some of the most conten- and congressional Repub- Mueller's report says Rosen-
vestigation as a hoax and and the extent of Ameri- tious actions of his tenure, licans — and it would be stein had been asked to
witch hunt — and sought can involvement. including his role in Comey's unpleasant for him and his reference Russia, a request
to burnish a legacy for him- "I would never have al- firing — he wrote a memo family. it says he rejected — and
self as a protector of the lowed anyone to interfere the White House held up as "But at my confirmation said he was never told
Justice Department's inde- with the investigation," he justification for it — and his hearing, I promised that I that dismissing Comey was
pendence who tried to do added. subsequent appointment would conduct the inves- meant to shut down the in-
what he thought was right Rosenstein's resignation of special counsel Robert tigation properly and see vestigation. He said he did
regardless of public criti- took effect last week, but Mueller to lead the Russia it through to the appropri- not believe that firing Com-
cism. the speech Monday night investigation. ate conclusion," Rosenstein ey would affect the investi-
"I was responsible for over- made clear he is likely to re- He said Mueller's appoint- said. "In my business, you gation.
seeing that investigation," main a public figure in the ment was necessary to pre- keep promises. And in my In a clear break from
Rosenstein said, according months ahead and under- serve public confidence business, the appropriate Trump, though, he said that
to his prepared remarks. scored a desire to explain in the Justice Department conclusion is the one that if he had been in charge
"I knew from preliminary and even justify a decision- and to resolve the investi- results when you follow the of Comey's firing, "the re-
briefings with the agents making process that has gation in a way that would normal process and com- moval would have been
and prosecutors that it was come under heavy scrutiny protect America from for- plete an independent in- handled very differently,
an important investigation. by Democrats and Republi- eign adversaries. He said vestigation." with far more respect and
If it was not done correctly, cans alike. he knew not everyone was Perhaps his most pointed far less drama."q