Associated Press
- Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is resigning, the Justice Department confirmed to INSIDER.
- Rosenstein gave his resignation letter to President Donald Trump on Monday.
- Rosenstein will officially depart on May 11.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein submitted his resignation letter to President Donald Trump on Monday, the Justice Department confirmed to INSIDER.
Rosenstein is set to leave the department on May 11.
"I am grateful to you for the opportunity to serve; for the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations; and for the goals you set in your inaugural address: patriotism, unity, safety, education and prosperity," Rosenstein said in a letter to the president.
Rosenstein said that the Justice Department has made "rapid progress" in achieving the Trump administration’s "law enforcement priorities."
"Our nation is safer, our elections are more secure, and our citizens are better informed about covert foreign influence efforts and schemes to commit fraud, steal intellectual property, and launch cyberattacks," Rosenstein wrote. "I commend our 115,000 employees for their accomplishments and their devotion to duty."
In a statement provided to INSIDER, Attorney General William Barr said Rosenstein will be missed and described him as an "invaluable partner."
"Rod Rosenstein has served the Department of Justice with dedication and distinction for nearly thirty years as a prosecutor, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, US. Attorney, and as Deputy Attorney General. His devotion to the Department and its professionals is unparalleled," Barr said. "Over the course of his distinguished government career, he has navigated many challenging situations with strength, grace, and good humor."
Barr added, "Rod has been an invaluable partner to me during my return to the Department, and I have relied heavily on his leadership and judgment over the past several months. I have appreciated the opportunity to work closely with him, and I wish him well in his future endeavors. The Department and I will miss him."
Rosenstein had signaled he would resign once special counsel Robert Mueller submitted his report on Russian election interference, and is following through on that pledge.
After former Attorney Jeff Sessions recused himself from the department’s investigation into Russian election interference, Rosenstein took over the role of overseeing Mueller’s probe.
See Also:
- Legendary journalist Bob Woodward said Trump couldn’t have coordinated with Russia because he’s way too disorganized
- Trump welcomes ‘Sleepy Joe’ Biden to the 2020 race by insulting his intelligence and bashing Democrats’ ‘very sick & demented ideas’
- Hillary Clinton op-ed says Mueller report shows a ‘crime was committed against all Americans,’ urges Democrats not to rush to impeach Trump
Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (John Haltiwanger)