US Congress Must Hold Hearing If Rosenstein Ousted As Deputy Attorney General - Lawmaker

(@FahadShabbir)

US Congress Must Hold Hearing if Rosenstein Ousted as Deputy Attorney General - Lawmaker

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th September, 2018) US Congress must call for an emergency oversight hearing if President Donald Trump forces Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein from his position, Congressman Elijah Cummings said in a press release.

Earlier in the day there were conflicting media reports about Rosenstein's employment status, with some claiming he had "verbally resigned." However, the White House in a statement said that Rosenstein and Trump had an extended conversation about recent news stories and agreed to meet on Thursday.

"If President Trump forces out Mr. Rosenstein - regardless of how it happens - the American people deserve a full and complete accounting of these actions, and the Oversight Committee should hold an immediate emergency hearing with Mr. Rosenstein," Cummings said on Monday.

The removal of the deputy attorney general, Cummings added, would pose a serious threat to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe because Rosenstein acts as a firewall that protects the FBI's investigation from Trump's efforts to interfere.

The US House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Cummings said, should demand all emails and other records from the White House and Justice Department regarding this matter and begin interviewing officials about Rosenstein's possible departure.

Earlier on Monday, US media reported that Rosenstein gave his verbal notice of resignation to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. However, The Washington Post reported Rosenstein did not plan to resign, but went to a meeting at the White House on Monday expecting to be fired.

US media reported on Friday that sometime last year Rosenstein suggested wearing a wire to secretly record Trump and also discussed invoking the 25th amendment to remove him from office. Rosenstein issued a statement denying the allegations, calling the story "factually incorrect," but the Justice Department said he did make the comment, but was being sarcastic.

Rosenstein currently oversees the Mueller team's probe into Russia, Trump and the 2016 US election.