Rod Rosenstein, American political figure, United States Deputy Attorney General

Rod Jay Rosenstein: A Distinguished Career in U.S. Law Enforcement

Rod Jay Rosenstein, born on January 13, 1965, is a highly prominent American attorney with a career marked by significant roles within the federal government. He is widely recognized for his tenure as the 37th United States Deputy Attorney General, serving in this critical capacity from April 2017 until May 2019.

Serving as the Nation's Second-Highest Prosecutor

As the Deputy Attorney General (DAG), Rosenstein held the second-highest position within the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the vast federal law enforcement apparatus, including all federal prosecutions, and providing essential legal advice and support to the Attorney General. His appointment to this influential position was initiated by President Donald Trump, who nominated him on February 1, 2017. Following a comprehensive review, Rosenstein was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 25, 2017.

Longest-Serving U.S. Attorney for Maryland

Prior to his elevation to Deputy Attorney General, Rosenstein built an extensive and highly respected career as a United States Attorney. He notably served as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland for an unprecedented 12 years, from 2005 to 2017. At the time of his confirmation as Deputy Attorney General, he held the distinction of being the longest-serving U.S. Attorney in the nation, a testament to his deep experience and reputation for legal acumen and non-partisanship. As a U.S. Attorney, he functioned as the chief federal law enforcement officer for his assigned judicial district, prosecuting federal crimes and representing the U.S. government in civil cases.

Adding to his distinguished background, Rosenstein was also nominated in 2007 to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. While this nomination ultimately did not proceed to a vote in the U.S. Senate, it further underscored his long-standing presence and high regard within federal legal circles.

Pivotal Moments as Deputy Attorney General

Rod Rosenstein's tenure as Deputy Attorney General coincided with several high-profile and politically charged events that significantly shaped the national discourse.

The Dismissal of FBI Director James Comey

In May 2017, just weeks into his role as DAG, Rosenstein authored a detailed memorandum to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. This memo critically assessed and explicitly criticized FBI Director James Comey's handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email server, particularly focusing on Comey's public statements regarding the investigation's conclusion and his decision to clear Clinton without prosecution. Crucially, President Donald Trump subsequently cited this very memo as the explicit basis for his decision to dismiss Director Comey on May 9, 2017. This dismissal sparked immediate and widespread controversy, raising questions about the independence of the FBI and ultimately leading to the appointment of a Special Counsel.

Involvement in the Trump Administration's Family Separation Policy

In May 2018, Rosenstein issued a significant directive to the five U.S. Attorneys in districts along the U.S.-Mexico border. He reportedly instructed them not to "be categorically declining immigration prosecutions of adults in family units because of the age of a child." This directive was issued as part of the Trump administration's controversial "zero tolerance" policy on illegal border crossings, which mandated criminal prosecution for all adults apprehended at the border. The policy, and Rosenstein's directive, led to the widespread separation of thousands of small children from their parents, including many asylum seekers who had fled violence and persecution in Central American countries. This practice generated immense public outcry and international condemnation on humanitarian grounds.

Appointment and Oversight of the Robert Mueller Special Counsel Investigation

Perhaps the most defining moment of Rosenstein's tenure was his pivotal role in the "Russia investigation." Following Attorney General Jeff Sessions' recusal from all matters related to the 2016 presidential campaigns (due to his undisclosed meetings with Russian officials), and the subsequent dismissal of FBI Director James Comey, Rosenstein assumed direct oversight of the ongoing FBI probe into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. To ensure the investigation's independence and maintain public confidence, Rosenstein, on May 17, 2017, made the consequential decision to appoint Robert Mueller, a highly respected former FBI Director, as Special Counsel. Mueller's mandate was to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election and any related matters, including potential obstruction of justice.

A significant report by The New York Times, published in September 2018, indicated that Rosenstein had reportedly restricted the scope of Mueller's investigation, preventing it from delving into President Trump's personal and financial dealings in Russia, focusing instead primarily on the campaign's actions. Rosenstein maintained direct oversight of the Special Counsel investigation until November 7, 2018, when President Trump transferred command of this oversight to Matthew Whitaker, who was then serving as Acting U.S. Attorney General. This transfer also generated considerable debate and concerns about the independence and trajectory of the ongoing investigation.

Transition to Private Practice

Rod Rosenstein officially submitted his resignation as Deputy Attorney General on April 29, 2019, with his tenure concluding on May 11, 2019. Following his departure from public service, Rosenstein transitioned to the private sector. In January 2020, he joined King & Spalding, a prestigious international law firm, as a partner in their Washington D.C. office. He is a key member of the firm's "Special Matters and Government Investigations" team, a practice group renowned for specializing in white-collar criminal defense, internal corporate investigations, and compliance matters for companies facing complex government scrutiny and regulatory challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rod Rosenstein

When did Rod Rosenstein serve as Deputy Attorney General?
Rod Rosenstein served as the 37th United States Deputy Attorney General from April 2017 until May 2019.
What was Rod Rosenstein's role in the James Comey dismissal?
Rosenstein authored a memo in May 2017 that criticized FBI Director James Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. President Trump subsequently cited this memo as a key reason for dismissing Comey from his position.
Why did Rod Rosenstein appoint Robert Mueller as Special Counsel?
Following Attorney General Jeff Sessions' recusal from the Russia investigation and the dismissal of FBI Director James Comey, Rod Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller as Special Counsel in May 2017. This action was taken to ensure an independent and thorough investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and any related matters, including potential obstruction of justice.
What was Rod Rosenstein's longest-held position before becoming Deputy Attorney General?
Before becoming Deputy Attorney General, Rod Rosenstein held the distinction of being the longest-serving United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, a position he held for 12 years from 2005 to 2017.
What is Rod Rosenstein doing now?
Since January 2020, Rod Rosenstein has been a partner at the international law firm King & Spalding in their Washington D.C. office, where he works with their "Special Matters and Government Investigations" team, focusing on white-collar defense and corporate investigations.