Leaky, Leaky

Jesus, Joseph and Mary!

The senior Justice Department official with ultimate authority over the special counsel's probe of Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 election has privately acknowledged to colleagues that he may have to recuse himself from the matter, which he took charge of only after Attorney General Jeff Sessions' own recusal, sources tell ABC News.

[...]

Rosenstein, who authored an extensive and publicly-released memorandum recommending Comey's firing, raised the possibility of his recusal during a recent meeting with Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand, the Justice Department's new third-in-command, according to sources.

[...]

In the recent meeting with Brand, Rosenstein told her that if he were to recuse himself, she would have to step in and take over those responsibilities. She was sworn-in little more than a month ago.

[...]

Rosenstein is keenly aware that he could become a potential witness in the investigation.

[...]

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, asked Rosenstein specifically whether he might have a conflict of interest if he becomes a witness in the investigation. "I'm not going to answer hypothetical questions," Rosenstein said. "[But] I am working with career professionals who know these rules and are responsible for enforcing these rules, and I can assure you that we're going to do the right thing, and we're going to defend the integrity of that investigation."

[...]

As for Brand, she previously led the Justice Department's Office of Legal Policy, and she most recently served as a member of the government's Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.

  ABC

She didn't lead it so's anyone would notice.  One hardly notices we have one.

[AG Jeff] Sessions recently said Brand "has proven herself to be a brilliant lawyer."

"She is also a dedicated public servant who is strongly committed to upholding the rule of law and our Constitution," he added.

Praise from Jeff Sessions ought to be the last thing she wants.

I suppose the Trump administration is hoping Rosenstein recuses himself.  That way, they don't have to worry about the impulse-control-challenged president firing him and causing a bigger fracas.

Are we sure Trump hasn't talked to Brand about the investigation?




...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.