President Trump intends to nominate Jeffrey A. Rosen as deputy attorney general, the White House said Tuesday. Rosen, who is currently deputy transportation secretary, will replace Rod Rosenstein, who is expected to leave his post in mid-March, CBS News reported earlier Tuesday.
Rosesntein was expected to leave after Attorney General William Barr was confirmed and was to stay on for a few weeks after Barr was confirmed by the Senate, in order to ensure a smooth transition, CBS News’ Paula Reid reported. Rosenstein always saw his post as a two-year position, Reid was also told previously.
It’s unclear what Rosenstein’s departure means for the special counsel’s investigation. He was tasked with oversight of the probe after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself. It was Rosenstein who appointed Robert Mueller special counsel. Once Matthew Whitaker was named acting attorney general, he assumed oversight of the special counsel investigation. Barr, who has been confirmed as attorney general, is expected to assume oversight of the investigation.
Before joining the Transportation Department, Rosen was a senior partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, according to the White House.
