Trump Nominee For Deputy AG Post Open To Appointing Special Counsel In Russia Probe

[Amaryllis]

WASHINGTON ― Several Senate Democrats on Tuesday backed a longtime federal prosecutor nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the No. 2 position in the Justice Department, where he’d oversee the federal investigation into connections between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

Rod Rosenstein, currently the top federal prosecutor in Maryland, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning he is open to appointing a special counsel to investigate Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election if necessary.

“I’m willing to appoint a special counsel ... whenever I determine that it’s appropriate based upon the policies and procedures of the Justice Department,” Rosenstein told the committee.

However, he didn’t commit to appointing a special counsel and said, at this point, he didn’t see a specific reason he couldn’t oversee such an investigation.

snip

Still, many Democrats had questions for Rosenstein about how he’d handle the ongoing Russia investigation. Saying political affiliation was “irrelevant” to his work, Rosenstein told the committee that he would ensure there were independent prosecutors conducting any investigation, including the Russia probe.

snip

Rosenstein, who said he had not had any conversations with Sessions about the Russia issue, said he is not yet in a position to decide whether a special prosecutor is necessary. But Rosenstein said he’d be willing to appoint a special counsel if necessary, based on the procedures at the Justice Department.

“If it’s America against Russia or America against any other country, I think everyone in this room knows which side I’m on,” Rosenstein said during the hearing.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said she believes a special prosecutor is necessary. “There is a real danger, I believe, that the Department of Justice could become politicized,” Feinstein said.

More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rod-rosenstein-trump-doj-russia_us_58bdb60be4b09ab537d588a3?section=us_politics

[FBaggins]

1. Not a great title

He's just saying that he doesn't oppose ICs in general. He definitely didn't say that he would appoint one in the current situation. He doesn't see any reason why he can't run investigations into issue re: Russia.