Rosenstein Says He May Need To Recuse Himself In Russia Probe

Ron Rosenstein

The senior Justice Department official with ultimate authority over the special counsel's probe of Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 election, Ron Rosenstein, has privately acknowledged to colleagues that he may have to recuse himself from the matter, which he took charge of only after Attorney General Jeff Sessions' own recusal, sources tell ABC News.

According to ABC, Rosenstein is keenly aware that he could become a potential witness in the investigation.

"I understand there are serious allegations that have been raised," Rosenstein told a Senate panel earlier this week. "I recognize the importance of these questions, and I think that Director Mueller ought to review that and make a determination of whether or not he believes it is within the scope of his investigation."

This might be a big break for President Trump if Rosenstein does recuse himself since he would likely be replaced by someone who would be friendlier to Trump.

Was Trump's tweet this morning an attempt to bring Rosenstein deeper into the mix and force his recusal?

I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2017

Rosenstein, raised the possibility of his recusal during a recent meeting with Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand, the Justice Department's new third-in-command, according to ABC.

In the recent meeting with Brand, Rosenstein told her that if he were to recuse himself, she would have to step in and take over those responsibilities. She was sworn-in little more than a month ago.

On February 1, 2017, Trump nominated Brand to be United States Associate Attorney General.Her appointment was confirmed 52–46 by the U.S. Senate on May 18, 2017.

Brand is the chairman of the Federalist Society's Litigation Practice Group

 -RW

UPDATE

Here's more on Brand from Kurt Nimmo:

Brand is a member in good standing with the Federalist Society, the “conservative legal fellowship” organization lubricated by the David Koch, the Bradley Foundation, and the Sarah Scaife Foundation.

Bradley funds a variety of neocon operations, including the Hudson Institute, the American Enterprise Institute, the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace, and the regime change and color revolution folks over at Freedom (sic) House. Scaife also funds a number of neocon outfits, including the American Enterprise Institute, David Horowitz Freedom Center, and the Jamestown Foundation. The group was seeded by the grand daddy of the neocon movement, Irving Kristol.