CNN is reporting that in December, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein came to the White House to ask Donald Trump to do something about constant requests for classified information coming from House Intelligence Chair Devin Nunes. But instead of helping, Trump asked a question.
Trump wanted to know where the special counsel's Russia investigation was heading. And he wanted to know whether Rosenstein was "on my team."
Rosenstein was asked about loyalty oaths at his appearance before the House Judiciary Committee shortly after his meeting with Trump. Rosenstein declared that he’d taken no such oath except his oath of office—but the question clearly made him uncomfortable. And on another point …
At the hearing, Rosenstein repeatedly declined to say whether Trump had ever asked him about the Russia Investigation.
Based on the news from his meeting with Trump, saying that he wasn’t asked for a loyalty oath—takes a very narrow legal definition.
"Of course, we're all on your team, Mr. President," Rosenstein told Trump, the sources said. It is not clear what Trump meant or how Rosenstein interpreted the comment.
Neither the DOJ nor the White House has yet commented on the story, but the request certainly seems in line with other demands Trump made to officials. One thing that did not happen at the meeting—Trump did not reassure Rosenstein that he would talk to Nunes about sensitive material. Rosenstein appears to be unaware that Nunes was likely working with the White House in preparing his attack on the FBI and DOJ.
With Rosenstein and Wray confronting Trump over the Trump-Nunes memo, and Trump and Kelly still indicating the memo will soon be released, it seems probable that someone will resign over these events. Trump will lose a member of his “team.”
And if that team member is Rosenstein, it opens up a job position called “Robert Mueller’s boss,” and will allow Trump to appoint someone who will sidetrack and starve the Russia investigation.