So what's the latest thinking/speculation about why Whitaker let Rosenstein continue in charge?

[Stinky The Clown]

[redstatebluegirl]

1. I think once he got on the inside he realized he might end up in an orange jumpsuit.

He has information he didn't have before he took the job. Now he sees his boss is guilty and he could be charged with obstruction or worse.

[lapfog_1]

2. Whatever report that Mueller produces is going to land on Whitaker's desk...

and, thus, to the circular file next to the desk... after shredding with a cross cut shredder and burning the chaff.

[vlyons]

3. Maybe he's not so stupid

Maybe he's recognized that Trump is a loser, and he wants a life and a career after Trump. If he doesn't get involved, he can just be a dormant caretaker and avoid getting dragged under and off to jail. Let Rosenberg take all the risk and the heat.

Plus by now, he's probably read and learned enough to know that Trump's criminal behavior is traitorous.

[GWC58]

7. And I don't think Whitaker wants to be

hauled in front of the House getting grilled by House Democrats. Not too appealing!😱😳

[Wellstone ruled]

4. This Guy is in so far over his head

and his Baggage is heading him to the Jail House.

[RockRaven]

5. One option is that he isn't really in charge. But I think the more likely option is that

everyone around him explained how it would be a slam-dunk conviction for conspiracy and obstruction if he lifted a finger to interfere with Mueller, and scared him into passivity.

Besides, I'm not so certain he ever believed ALL of the crap he spewed to get onto Trump's good side anyway. It was a performance for an audience of one. Now he has gotten what he wanted -- he's acting AG. Nobody can ever take that off of his CV. That will be great for future speaking gigs, talking head cable news jobs, and the like. He's at the big kids' table now. He played Trump like a fiddle. Just like Boofer Brett. Just like Sessions. They got what they wanted, and now that they have it, they'll look out for their interests first, and Trump's only when they coincide. Trump surrounds himself with people like himself, and then is frustrated that he can't trust them. D'oh!

[Imperialism Inc.]

6. There are ongoing lawsuits questioning whether he even legitimately holds

the AG position. He likely doesn't. Probably don't want to test whether he has the authority to do anything like firing Rosenstein.

[Charlotte Little]

8. Not firing Rosenstein keeps the political storm at bay

Whitaker is (more than) likely passing info to Trump's lawyers on the daily. In fact, IIRC, the lawyers have basically said aloud that he has been since reporting to Sessions. So, keeping Rosenstein is just a formality.

I believe Mueller will now take all of this public based on his brilliant 4K dimensional chess move yesterday. It's going to play out in the courts (can't wait for Cohen's sentencing!) and once the Dems take over, they can run that field up as far as they want, even bring Mueller in to testify publicly (which would be delicious).

Whitaker made a very poor life decision by jumping in to be Trump's personal AG bodyguard. I can only imagine Rosenstein humming behind his back every time Whitaker walks by him.

[Jarqui]

9. As was explained by Nicole Wallace to Rachel Maddow

that is how the structure of the DOJ is.

Mueller would always report to the Deputy AG

The difference now is the Deputy AG reports to the AG (ex-AG Session had recused himself)

[ScratchCat]

13. Someone else on one of those shows

Also stated yesterday that he likely hand't been cleared by the Ethics Dept yet as this stuff takes time.

[mitch96]

14. "the Deputy AG reports to the AG"

I seem to recall the words were.. Rosenstein TOLD Whittaker what he was doing, not ASKING for permission.. Whittaker did not take action... What could Whittaker do if R'stein just did not listen to him? Who would be the fist in the glove to back Whittaker? If a bunch of DOJ people just ignored Whittaker? Hummmmm
m

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Fear.

He would have been tapped for the job before the midterms, when Tiny was convinced the GOP would hold the House and Whitaker would have free rein. Now Whitaker probably realizes that if he gets too enthusiastic about fiddling with the special counsel investigation, he might find himself having to answer some awkward questions in public hearings. Or worse.

[marble falls]

11. Because he's subject to enough heat of his own right now.

[Apollyonus]

12. Mueller and Rosenstein probably saw this coming

and have evidence of his communications with Trump.

If he fires, there is probably a sealed indictment waiting for him with charges of obstruction of justice and evidence tampering.

[Kaleva]

15. Whitaker can see the S.S. Trump is sinking and sees no reason to board it.

[Girard442]

16. Yeah, a lot of Trumpoids are thinking that.

Why labor at the pumps below decks when I’ll likely just drown down there?