Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein dismissed The New York Times alleged story that he discussed secretly recording President Donald Trump last year, calling it “inaccurate” and “factually incorrect.”
Rosenstein, through an official statement by the Justice Department, also stated that there was “no basis” to invoke the 25th Amendment after the Times reported that he proposed recruiting various Cabinet officials to take such a step in order to remove Trump from office over his unfitness.
“The New York Times’s story is inaccurate and factually incorrect,” Rosenstein said. “I will not further comment on a story based on anonymous sources who are obviously biased against the department and are advancing their own personal agenda. But let me be clear about this: Based on my personal dealings with the president, there is no basis to invoke the 25th Amendment.”
The Times, citing anonymous sources, reported Friday afternoon that Rosenstein made the comments in discussions with Justice Department and FBI officials in spring 2017, shortly after Trump fired James Comey as FBI director.
The newspaper reported that Rosenstein proposed secretly recording conversations with Trump in the Oval Office and suggested others interviewing to wear a wire.
The article does not allege that Rosenstein actually recorded Trump or followed through on his musings about invoking the 25th Amendment.
Rosenstein has at times drawn ire from Trump over his handling of the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The No. 2 Justice Department official is overseeing the probe as a result of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ recusal last year.
Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to spearhead the investigation in May of last year after Trump fired Comey.
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