Conservative Congressman have filed documents to impeach Rod Rosenstein, the Deputy Attorney General who appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate Russia’s collusion in the 2016 presidential election.
The lawmakers on Wednesday introduced a resolution to impeach Rosenstein for withholding documents that would prove the entire Russia collusion investigation is a ruse to unseat a duly elected president.
Impeaching Rosenstein would effectively end Mueller’s investigation. Republican lawmakers have long complained that Rosenstein continuously refuses to turn over requested documents.
“We’re tired of the Justice Department giving us the finger and not giving us the information we’re entitled to to do our constitutional duty,” said House Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in a Fox News appearance on Wednesday. “More importantly, the American people are sick of it. That’s why we filed the resolution.”
Jordan, along with N.C. Rep. Mark Meadows, spearheaded the effort to impeach Rosenstein with other House Republicans.
“it was very important for those of us who believe that norms have been violated to step out and say Rod Rosenstein needs to be impeached.”
Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) applauded the effort to impeach Rosenstein during an appearance on the FOX Business Network Wednesday night.
“The mountain of evidence against Rod Rosenstein is very compelling when you look at the extent to which documents and witnesses have been withheld,” said Gaetz.
Republican lawmakers face pushback from House Democrats who say the Republicans’ resolution is a “direct attack” on Mueller’s probe.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, House Democrats said: “Any attempt to [file impeachment papers against Rosenstein] will be viewed by Congress and the American people as further proof of an effort to obstruct justice with severe consequences for Trump and his presidency.”
But Jordan and Meadows filed the resolution to impeach Rosenstein hours later. The resolution sets up a public showdown between the House Republicans who outnumber the House Democrats.
Democrats hope to take back the House during the upcoming midterm elections in November.
