It’s about time. After threatening and then backing off time and time again, the GOP lawmakers finally had enough of Rod Rosenstein, a denizen of the Deep State. Rosenstein has so many conflicts of interest, that it’s not even funny.
The one big disqualifier is that he will probably be a witness in any prosecution. Mueller won’t call him but you can bet Manafort or some other defendant will. Eleven House members have signed onto the articles. But, here’s the thing. The House goes on a one month leave and the articles will expire before they get back.
There are two options. They could call for an immediate vote, which Paul Ryan might try to kill. But if Republicans stay united, they could use the discharge petition and take the vote. The second option is to promise to refile when they get back. This worked with John Boehner. facing a “Vacate the Chair” vote Boehner decided to resign. Coincidentally, Mark Meadows was the driving force that time too.
BREAKING UPDATE: House Republicans introduced articles of impeachment against DAG Rosenstein via FOX News:
A group of 11 House Republicans introduced articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein Wednesday evening.
The impeachment articles accuse Rosenstein of intentionally withholding documents and information from Congress, failure to comply with congressional subpoenas and abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
FOX News’ Chad Pergram reported: Colleague Catherine Herridge reports Meadows will consult with House GOP leadership over the next steps on a potential contempt/impeachment resolution for Dep AG Rosenstein
Colleague Catherine Herridge rpts Meadows will consult with House GOP leadership over the next steps on a potential contempt/impeachment resolution for Dep AG Rosenstein
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 25, 2018
He continued: “Colleague Catherine Herridge rpts Meadows will consult with House GOP leadership over the next steps on a potential contempt/impeachment resolution for Dep AG Rosenstein”
2: “Colleague Catherine Herridge rpts Peter Strzok will be recalled”
3: “Meadows says if he files an impeachment resolution now…since the House leaves town for more than a month Thursday, the resolution “probably would expire.” It should be noted that “privileged” resolutions must ripen within two legislative days. But if the House is gone..”
4: If Meadows & others are serious about impeachment Rosenstein, they could ask for an immediate vote. But if they don’t demand a vote, they could let the issue percolate over August, with the threat of forcing an impeachment vote in the fall.
5: “For clues to how Meadows could try impeachment effort on Rosenstein, look to his “vacate the chair” resolution in July ’15. On July 28 ’15, Meadows intro’d a resolution to essentially take a no-confidence vote on Boehner. But Meadows never allowed the resolution to go “live.””
6: “Meadows resolution to “vacate the chair” w/Boehner in ’15 withered on the vine. It infuriated some GOPers. But other GOPers applauded Meadows. The threat was that Meadows would try again in the fall. Meadows didn’t have to. Boehner resigned that October”
Then BOOM! Mark Meadows: “I just filed a resolution with @Jim_Jordan and several colleagues to impeach Rod Rosenstein. The DOJ has continued to hide information from Congress and repeatedly obstructed oversight–even defying multiple Congressional subpoenas. We have had enough.
Rod Rosenstein should be feeling the heat about now. He won’t resign because Trump can name a temporary replacement who could release everything. A temporary replacement does not need to be confirmed.