Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein to brief full Senate this week over firing of James Comey
WASHINGTON -- Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will brief the full Senate this week amid controversy over President Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey.
Rosenstein accepted the invitation extended by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
"Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has accepted the Majority Leader's invitation to lead an all-Senators briefing regarding the removal of former FBI Director James Comey. The briefing will take place on Thursday, May 18th at 2:30 P.M," read a statement from McConnell's office.
In a statement following Rosenstein's acceptance, Schumer said he was "pleased" McConnell agreed to the request to invite Rosenstein to brief the full Senate.
"I hope that senators from both sides of the aisle will use this opportunity to seek the full truth regarding Director Comey's firing, to press the Deputy Attorney General to make way for a special prosecutor, and to ensure the administration will preserve and make public any audio recordings of conversations between the President and the former director," added Schumer.
Rosenstein wrote a memo critical of Comey that the White House initially cited as justification for Trump's firing of Comey. But the story subsequently changed as Trump said he would have fired Comey anyway.
Senators have many questions for Rosenstein, and his responses may help determine how the still-developing controversy plays out.
Schumer had called on Senate Republicans to have Rosenstein brief the Senate. Last week, the New York Democrat laid out a list of Democratic demands including the appointment of a special counsel, not made by Rosenstein, but by the highest-ranking civil servant at the Department of Justice.
