Rod Rosenstein seals his legacy

Rosenstein’s speech [at the Public Servants Dinner of the Armenian Bar Association], probably one of his last as a senior Justice Department official, marked his first public comments since the release of the [Mueller] report, and he did not hold back in discussing his tumultuous two years as the No. 2 at the Justice Department. During that time, he was castigated by both Republicans and Democrats for a variety of decisions. In the speech, Rosenstein reflected on his time on the job, spoke positively of Trump’s commitment to the rule of law and criticized the press.

  WaPo

Trump's commitment to the rule of law? Why did they not laugh him out of the room? What is the Armenian Bar Association doing with Rosenstein as a speaker?  What is the Armenian Bar Association?

Rosenstein appointed Mueller as special counsel in May 2017, and has overseen the investigation since. Now that Mueller’s work is over and Trump has nominated someone else to be the No. 2 official at the Justice Department, Rostenstein is expected to leave the job as early as next month.

[...]

“The bottom line is, there was overwhelming evidence that Russian operatives hacked American computers and defrauded American citizens, and that is only the tip of the iceberg of a comprehensive Russian strategy to influence elections, promote social discord, and undermine America, just like they do in many other countries,” Rosenstein said.

[...]

“I do not care how police officers, prosecutors and judges vote, just as I do not care how soldiers and sailors vote. That is none of my business. I only care whether they understand that when they are on duty, their job is about law and not politics,” said Rosenstein, who has worked at the Justice Department for decades.

“There is not Republican justice and Democrat justice. There is only justice and injustice,” he said.

And justice is not being served as long as Trump is in the White House and Barr is his AG.

“The rule of law is our most important principle,” Rosenstein said. “As President Trump pointed out, ‘We govern ourselves in accordance with the rule of law rather [than] … the whims of an elite few or the dictates of collective will.’ ”

What does Trump know about the rule of law, other than it pays to break it? Also, it seems to me "the dictates of collective will" should determine law in a democracy.

Rosenstein insisted the investigation had been conducted fairly and conscientiously, and that as a result, “our nation is safer, elections are more secure, and citizens are better informed about covert foreign influence schemes. But not everybody was happy with my decision, in case you did not notice.”

He denounced what he called “mercenary critics, who get paid to express passionate opinions about any topic, often with little or no information. They do not just express disagreement. They launch ad hominem attacks unrestricted by truth or morality. They make threats, spread fake stories and even attack your relatives.”

Jesus Christ, Rod. Have you met Donald Trump?

He also tried to joke off questions that emerged over his appearance last week at Barr’s press conference ahead of the release of the Mueller report, in which he appeared ashen-faced.

“Last week, the big topic of discussion was: ‘What were you thinking when you stood behind Bill Barr at that press conference, with a deadpan expression?’ The answer is: I was thinking, “My job is to stand here with a deadpan expression.’ ”

The audience applauded.

[...]

The evening’s other honoree was Robert Tembeckjian, administrator of New York State’s Commission on Judicial Conduct. Rosenstein chatted with the others at his table and checked his phone as Tembeckjian unleashed a steady stream of criticism against the administration’s immigration policies. The crowd applauded as Tembeckjian warned of the path to tyranny and celebrated his own family’s history as undocumented immigrants from Armenia.

Tembeckjian also earned some laughs at the president’s expense, after mentioning Rosenstein’s pending departure from government.

“I can tell by the absence of Secret Service,” he said, “that the person most eager to see him leave is not here tonight.”

UPDATE:

Right at the bell on Friday, the Washington Post provided the definitive answer to the question that had been plaguing the nation. To wit:

Rod Rosenstein: Inanimate Lump of Play-Doh or Careerist Poltroon?

(Pro Tip: Both.)

[...]

He is now marked as some weird hybrid of L. Patrick Gray and Uriah Heep, with a dollop of Ottoman eunuch in there somewhere. Gaze in awe.

  Charles P Pierce

Continued here.