Rosenstein defeats critics and defends the treatment of the investigation on Russia



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"It's not up to us to make conclusive factual findings – we simply decide it's appropriate to bring criminal charges," said Rosenstein, speaking at a dinner in New York. York where he was honored by the Armenian Bar.

Rosenstein continued Thursday night saying "some crucial decisions" had been made before his tenure as Deputy Attorney General. The former government "chose not to publish the full story about Russian hackers and social media trolls," he explained. The story was then leaked to the media. The FBI director, James Comey, then told Congress that an investigation had been conducted against Trump "pressured him to close the investigation."

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"The bottom line is that there was overwhelming evidence that Russian agents had hacked into American computers and defrauded US citizens, and that this was only the visible part of the overall strategy of the United States." Russia to influence the elections, promote social discord and undermine America, "he added. .

Rosenstein maintained his decision to nominate Mueller, despite the fact that "everyone was not happy with my decision, in case you did not notice" – a possible reference to long-term vocal reluctance Trump's date as to the necessity and motives of the special council team.

"You just have to accept that politicians have to evaluate everything in terms of immediate political impact," Rosenstein added.

He also referred to reports that his emotions had taken him out at stressful moments of the investigation, claiming that one of the "silly questions I was getting from reporters" was to know his own. it was true that he never got angry.

"Damn, yes, is not it?" he said.

Finally, he addressed his "impassive" facial expressions at Attorney General William Barr's press conference last week, just before the report was released.

"The answer is, I thought," my job is to stay here with an impassive expression, "joked Rosenstein, adding," Can you imagine if I did anything other than a reaction? " impassive?"

Rosenstein also said he would leave the Justice Department "next month". He was originally scheduled to leave earlier this year, but the date of his departure became a moving target, as CNN had previously announced. Jeffrey Rosen, deputy secretary of transport, appointed by Trump to replace Rosenstein, is still awaiting a vote of confirmation in the Senate.

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