Now I know why I was suspicious about Rosenstein

[dajoki]

Rosenstein Lashes Out at Obama and the Media, Defends Trump in First Remarks Since Mueller Report
In his first public address since the release of Robert Mueller’s report, the deputy attorney general warned that Russia is just getting started with its meddling.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/rosenstein-lashes-out-at-obama-and-the-media-defends-trump-in-first-remarks-since-mueller-report?ref=scroll

Speaking publicly for the first time since the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential elections, Assistant Attorney General Rob Rosenstein did not mince words.

In a prepared speech delivered to the Public Servants Dinner of the Armenian Bar Association, Rosenstein criticized the Obama administration for failing to act on what he says should have been a “real-time reaction to Russian hacking.”

“The previous Administration chose not to publicize the full story about Russian computer hackers and social media trolls, and how they relate to a broader strategy to undermine America,” he said.

<<snip>>

He only mentioned Trump once in the talk, praising the president’s approach to the law. “The rule of law is our most important principle,” Rosenstein said. “As President Trump pointed out, ‘We govern ourselves in accordance with the rule of law rather [than] … the whims of an elite few or the dictates of collective will.’”

Rosenstein warned that the Russian meddling outlined in the Mueller report was just the beginning.

“The bottom line is, there was overwhelming evidence that Russian operatives hacked American computers and defrauded American citizens,” he said, according to the official transcript of the speech. “And that is only the tip of the iceberg of a comprehensive Russian strategy to influence elections, promote social discord, and undermine America, just like they do in many other countries.”

[dalton99a]

1. His ass kissing to Trump is disgusting.

[Merlot]

2. rosenstein wrote that letter justifying firing comey.

at trumpfts directive. All you need to know.

[zaj]

6. IMO, that's why he...

... protected Mueller and Barr/Trump/himself.

He knew he was complicit in the one crime they could prove, and indicting that crime.would open him up to participating.

[ScratchCat]

21. And IMO

They used that to "blackmail" him into what you are seeing now. They threatened him with "The McCabe Treatment" if he didn't defend Barr and Trump. Probably went as far to say that if obstruction charges were brought against Trump, they would have to include him as well. Just look at his face at that press conference(And the other guy was priceless too, clearly knowing Barr was lying), he was a robot, knowing Barr was full of shit but being forced to stand there like the entire department agreed with Barr.

[mitch96]

27. "They threatened him with "The McCabe Treatment""

It will be interesting to hear what he says after he retires from the Justice Dept... Book?
m

[Firestorm49]

3. I believe what Mr. Rosenstein meant to say was.......

“We govern ourselves in accordance with the DISTORTION of law.....”.

I guess it was an easy mistake.

[JaneQPublic]

4. The basic problem with Rosenstein:

He is weak.

So says an MSNBC legal analyst (wish I could remember which one).

[FakeNoose]

19. Yes we can see that now

Mueller expected more support from Rosenstein, that's for sure. I look at my old DU posts from last year, and I was sort of rooting for him. Not any more! I believe he got very scared when Jeff Sessions resigned (or was fired) and Rosenstein finally realized he would never be promoted to AG. Something put the fear of God in him, like he would be the next one to get thrown under a bus.

[Me.]

5. All Those Who Made All Sorts Of Excuses For Him

Are as wrong about him as they were about Barr

[zaj]

7. Not exactly.

He protected Mueller.

[Me.]

8. Did He?

That I believe is still open to conjecture.

[zaj]

10. Barr might have protected Mueller

But Rosenstein seems to have.

[Me.]

18. Sorry Barr Has Not Protected Mueller

Last edited Fri Apr 26, 2019, 01:39 PM - Edit history (1)

and as far as I'm concerned that was Rosenstein standing right behind him. And to blame the Obama admin for what McConnell did is abominable

[triron]

32. I'm all in with you on that.

[Whiskeytide]

33. THAT is what is most disappointing about ...

... his comments. We all know McConnell hampered Obama's response with threats that he would paint it as partisan efforts by Obama to elect Clinton. Rosenstein knows that as well. He could have said that Obama bowed to political pressure from republicans to keep it under the radar and that would have been critical of Obama and still relatively truthful. Instead, what he said was simply a conscious distortion of the true facts.

[Merlot]

9. By protecting Mueller, he protected trumpft.

trumpft firing Mueller would have unleashed a fireststorm. No republicans wanted trumpft to fire Mueller.

[Solomon]

40. McGhan protected Mueller

[malaise]

11. Did he mention the turtle? n/t

[dajoki]

13. Nancy Pelosi:

Link to tweet

[malaise]

15. Precisely

Did he mention Ryan keeping it in the family?

[Mme. Defarge]

23. Thank you!

[spanone]

14. They will blame trump's lawlessness on Democrats too if we fail to impeach trump

wait and see.

[malaise]

16. That is their plan

ITTMF!!!

[blueinredohio]

12. Wonder what Comey, McCabe etc. think about Rosenstein now.

[Baitball Blogger]

17. Having serious trouble following Rosenstein's logic.

How can he criticize Obama, but give Trump a free pass? And, IF there was such overwhelming evidence that Russian operatives hacked American computers and defrauded American citizen, isn't Mitch McConnell more to blame than Obama, since he obstructed a joint effort to combat the problem?

I am really concerned that our important organizations, like the Attorney General's Office are stocked with very stupid people...or they don't have any regard for us at all.

[FakeNoose]

22. He's hanging on for his pension

Remember what Chump did to Andrew McCabe? He fired him one day before he could retire and get his full pension. For spite, Chump screwed him by one day. Does anyone think he wouldn't do that to Rosenstein or anyone else? I have no doubt Chump would do it, because that's the kind of person he is.

I'm sure Rod is counting the days till he's out of there. I hope he writes a tell-all book and exposes Chump's nastiness and criminal behavior.

[delisen]

29. Rosenstein more concerned with career than the country.

He had seemed quite angry about the letter he implied he had been tricked into writing in which he criticized Comey. Possibly his anger was triggered by it becoming public and damaging his reputation.

I wonder whether we will ever know why so many people have chosen the low road.

I do know, having worked in a very large organization that was doing what can only be described as evil, that shocking numbers of people will betray their principles and fall in line, and choose complicity.

I believe this is what Hannah Arendt called the banality of evil.

I am only following orders
I am just a guard
I am just an electrician; I am just a carpenter; I am just a chemist;
I don't kill people, I just supply gas.
I just build cages....
I need to support my family
I do not like what I do, but I have no choice.
If I don't do this, I will lose my job or I won't get promoted.

.. and it is true that the price of a personal code of ethics can be high.

when does one lean-in; when does one resist; when does one risk oneself or others...

[Baitball Blogger]

31. Very true.

The banality of evil. It's every where.

[luvtheGWN]

35. Just like the excuses the German concentration camp guards gave

after WW11. The banality of evil, indeed.

[Martin Eden]

39. That's because Rosenstein's remarks were 100% political spin in service to Hair Twitler

One cannot logically defend a POtuS who has consistently denied the assessment of our intelligence agencies in this matter, and who has steadfastly refused to do anything to safeguard our next election against further attacks.

Referring to Trump as a champion of the rule of law is so far beyond the pale that it strips Rosenstein of whatever credibility he may have once had.

[Paladin]

20. Fuck you, Rosenstein. Enjoy trump's Inverse Midas Touch.

Like he has with practically everybody else who's worked on his behalf, trump has robbed you of whatever good reputation you ever had, and turned you into a big piece of shit. Kindly disappear.

[sarabelle]

24. Why didn't he call out the GOP House and Senate. McConnell warned Obama not to publicize the info

And McConnell said voters would think he was just trying to help Hillary. Plus mcConnell ignored Wright when he asked McConnell to take some action on the intel.

[themaguffin]

25. Ok, but no mention that his DHS was told to NOT even bring up the fucking subject? Is this a joke?

What the fuck.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

26. One of the talking heads on MSNBC said that the problem with Rosenstein

is that he's weak. I think that assessment is accurate.

[MBS]

34. I agree completely with this assessment.

A classic type - a type that history does not treat well.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

36. Yeah, I think he knows what would have been the right thing to do,

but he just didn't have the cojones to do it.

[MBS]

37. I just don't understand how people like this can sleep at night. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

42. Maybe they don't.

Rosenstein was often described as a straight shooter who followed the law, and he probably was until he got browbeaten into going along with Trump's bullshit, and later Barr's bullshit, by domineering people with stronger personalities - until he folded like a cheap lawn chair. He probably knows he didn't do the right thing and that he doesn't have the guts to do otherwise. Maybe he doesn't sleep well, knowing what a weenie he is.

[enid602]

28. Auto correct?

Why would Rosenstein address ‘the Armenian Bar Association?’ Was he in Little Armenia?

[Drahthaardogs]

30. It he had to do it all over again, I think Obama would

Have told Mitch to screw himself and would have broadcast the Russia issues. However, I think even Obama didn't believe Trump could really win.

[Duppers]

38. WTF?!! He's despicable.

Wonder what Mueller really thinks of him and of Barr?

[GeorgeGist]

41. Career weasel

[OnDoutside]

43. Preet Bharrara made some very astute, if not cutting, comments on Rosenstein, listen here

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stay-tuned-with-preet/e/60264577?autoplay=true

From the 7 minutes 3 seconds mark.

He said Rosenstein has been described by Jim Comey as a "Survivor" and he didn't mean it as a compliment. He's quite a mixed bag.

[elias7]

44. The committees should call Obama to testify

Then maybe we’ll get a non-bull sh*tter