Loyalty Test? Trump Reportedly Asked Rosenstein If He Was ‘On My Team’ Regarding Russia Probe

By Justin BaragonaJan 31st, 2018, 4:14 pm
 

According to a new report by CNN, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was essentially asked if he was loyal to the president when the DOJ official visited the White House last month to seek assistance from the president. Rosenstein had gone there to ask if Trump could help him stave off document demands from House Intel Committee chair Devin Nunes.

From the CNN report:

But the President had other priorities ahead of a key appearance by Rosenstein on the Hill, according to sources familiar with the meeting. Trump wanted to know where the special counsel’s Russia investigation was heading. And he wanted to know whether Rosenstein was “on my team.”

Of course, considering that former FBI Director James Comey has also claimed that Trump asked him on multiple occasions to pledge his loyalty, this report could suggest that Special Counsel Robert Mueller may be looking at another possible instance of obstruction of justice in the Russia probe. A recent story claims that Trump asked former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe who he voted for in the 2016 election.

Per CNN’s sources, Rosenstein demurred when asked the direction of the Russia investigation. Also, when presented with the “team” question by Trump, stating “we’re all on your team, Mr. President.”

Rosenstein’s meeting with the president occurred prior to the deputy attorney general’s December 13 testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.Testifying before the committee, Rosenstein indicated that he hadn’t been asked to pledge loyalty to the president, telling Democrats that as “long as you are following your oath of office, you can also be faithful to the administration.”

Watch the clip above, via CNN.

[image via screengrab]

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