Senators want answers from deputy attorney general on Comey firing
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is likely to appear before the U.S. Senate to answer questions about the firing of FBI Director James Comey.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. and minority leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., extended the invitation to Rosenstein, Politico reports. Schumer told the Washington Examiner that arrangements were being made for an appearance next week.
Rosenstein wrote the memo outlining the case against Comey, reportedly after President Donald Trump directed Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to explain the case against FBI director in writing. Schumer wrote to Rosenstein on Thursday with several questions about the incident, the Washington Post reports.
Among the questions posed by Schumer:
• Is it true that Comey asked you for additional resources in the FBI’s investigation of alleged links between Russia and the Trump campaign? Did you convey the information to Attorney General Jeff Sessions or the White House?
• Is it true that Trump decided to fire Comey over the weekend, and then summoned you and Sessions on Monday to discuss Comey? Did you know the topic of the meeting in advance? Did Trump or anyone else ask for a justification to fire Comey or for you to write the memo?
• Who provided guidance when you drafted the memo? Were you aware it would be used to justify the firing of Comey?
• Sessions had recused himself from any role in the investigation of Russian involvement in the elections, yet your memo is addressed to him. Did you and Sessions discuss whether it was proper for him to be involved in Comey’s dismissal?
• Is it true you threatened to resign because the White House had mischaracterized your role in Comey’s firing?
