Rod Rosenstein Condemns Reports Of Intelligence Leaks Amid 'Investigation' Of Jared Kushner's Business Deals

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein released a statement Thursday condemning media reports about intelligence leaks regarding the Russian investigation that cite anonymous sources. The statement came a day after the Washington Post reported on the investigation by Robert Mueller, the special counsel to FBI’s Russian investigation, into the business dealings of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior aide, Jared Kushner, as a part of the Russia election probe.

Rosenstein’s statement read more as a warning , telling the people of the country to not believe in the reports that cite “anonymous ‘officials’” as their main sources and do not identify the country — let alone the branch or agency of government.

Even though Rosenstein’s statement was not directed toward any publication in particular, the statement was released hours after an exclusive report by the Post claimed Kushner has become Mueller’s next target in the probe into possible collusion between Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential elections. In its report, the Post did not cite the names of any governmental employees as sources and the inputs were attributed to “U.S. officials familiar with the matter.” Journalists across the globe often use anonymous sources to protect confidential sources of information when the information cannot be obtained in any other manner.

After the statement was released, former Attorney Preet Bharara, who was fired by Trump recently, lashed out at the administration.

Read: Is Jared Kushner Becoming The Center Of Russia Investigation?

Pertinently, the Post in its report stated that apart from Kushner’s “finance and business dealings”, the financial transactions of former National-Security Adviser Michael Flynn, and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort were also being scrutinized by Mueller.

Although Kushner’s attorney Jamie Gorelick downplayed the report about her client being investigated, she did not deny the news report.

“It would be standard practice for the Special Counsel to examine financial records to look for anything related to Russia,” Gorelick said, according to Fox News. “Mr. Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about Russia-related matters. He will do the same if he is contacted in connection with any other inquiry.”

Rosenstein himself became embroiled in controversy in May after the Post published a report stating hethreatened to quit his post because he refused to take the fall for firing former FBI Director James Comey. Although he had merely agreed with “unanimous opinions of former Department officials” who had already recommended Comey’s dismissal, the White House painted him as the scapegoat when it came to taking the blame for it.

Read: Why Deputy Attorney General Threatened To Quit?​

Rosenstein has since denied the facts cited in the report, stating he never considered resigning, but not before the report tarnished his till-then spotless work record. When asked by a Sinclair Broadcast Group reporter if he made a threat to quit, Rosenstein responded, "No, I'm not quitting."

The report also prompted a firestorm on social media, with a plethora of users, including Ted Lieu, a USAF veteran and Democratic member of the House of Representatives from California, calling for the removal of the deputy attorney general.

Trump and the members of his administration have also maintained the publications such as the Post and the New York Times report nothing more than “fake news.” Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee tweeted Thursday that Mueller called him to talk about the Russian investigation and he was making the information public because he did not want the “NY Slimes” and “Wash Compost” to inaccurately report on that piece of news.