Politics & Government
Rod Rosenstein Of Maryland Named Deputy Attorney General
Maryland's top prosecutor will leave his position for a leading post in the U.S. Justice Department.
WASHINGTON, DC — Rod Rosenstein has been confirmed as the deputy attorney general, after serving as U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland for more than a decade.
"I support Mr. Rosenstein's nomination to be Deputy Attorney General," Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said during Tuesday's executive session. "Not only is he a very experienced and accomplished attorney — he has served in the justice department for almost three decades under five presidents — but he served as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland under both President Bush and President Obama, a very rare record of service."
His nomination was approved by the U.S. Senate, 94-6.
Find out what's happening in Baltimorefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Rosenstein will now lead the probe into potential Russian involvement in the 2016 election, since Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from any investigation of the Trump campaign.
Senators inquiring about his approach to the Russia investigation said they were impressed by his responses that he did not have facts needed to answer their questions.
Find out what's happening in Baltimorefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"...we already know that he has a well-known reputation for independence," Grassley said. "In 2012, [former] Attorney General [Eric] Holder specifically asked Mr. Rosenstein to handle a special investigation into leaks of classified information because of his reputation for independence and impartiality."
In Maryland, Rosenstein was integral in dismantling a Black Guerrilla Family racketeering conspiracy at the former Baltimore City Detention Center, securing indictments of dozens of correctional officers and gang members.
"We're not involved in politics...we're here to do the right thing," Rosenstein told WBAL about serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland since 2005.
"I'll miss Baltimore," Rosenstein told WBAL. "Most important, I'll miss the people."
The 52-year-old will now oversee the day-to-day operations of the justice department.
Related: Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General Nominee, Faces Senate Committee
Photo Credit: Maryland State Archives.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
