'The Department of Justice is not going to be extorted': Rod Rosenstein blasts pro-Trump GOP critics threatening his impeachment
- "They can't even resist leaking their own drafts," Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said in response to reports that members of the House Freedom Caucus are preparing articles for his impeachment.
- Rosenstein is responsible for overseeing the special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
- "The Department of Justice is not going to be extorted," he said.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein fired back at House Freedom Caucus members on Tuesday amid reports the conservative group is preparing articles of impeachment.
"They can't even resist leaking their own drafts," Rosenstein on Tuesday in response to a question from CNN reporter Laura Jarrett.
He later added: "The Department of Justice is not going to be extorted."
Rosenstein is responsible for overseeing the special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Rosenstein appointed Mueller to the position. His authority over the investigation has drawn the ire both publicly and privately of President Donald Trump and his Republican allies on Capitol Hill.
House conservatives who ally themselves with Trump have drafted articles of impeachment against Rosenstein as a last resort, according to The Washington Post. The move comes in contrast to the approach of GOP congressional leaders, who believe that Rosenstein and Mueller should be allowed to complete the investigation.
Trump has publicly and privately considered firing Rosenstein for not limiting the scope of Mueller's authority in the probe. Rosenstein has clashed with House Freedom Caucus members over requests for documents regarding the Russia investigation.