Graham Schedules First Hearing on Russia Investigation, Calls Rosenstein to Testify
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is moving forward with his committee’s investigation of the Russia probe. On Wednesday, Graham announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee would hold its first public…
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is moving forward with his committee’s investigation of the Russia probe.
On Wednesday, Graham announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee would hold its first public hearing on “Oversight of the Crossfire Hurricane Investigation” on June 3.
Graham revealed that the first witness the panel would call is former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
He added, “This will be the first in a series of oversight hearings regarding all things Crossfire Hurricane and the Mueller investigation.”
In a statement, Rosenstein confirmed that he would appear before the committee to testify.
His statement read:
“I am grateful to Chairman Graham for the opportunity to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about information that has come to light concerning the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act process and the FBI’s counterintelligence decision-making, as a result of completed inquiries by Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz and ongoing reviews by U.S. Attorneys John Durham and Jeff Jensen.”
Rosenstein served in his position at the Justice Department for two years until he resigned in 2019.
During his tenure at the Justice Department, Rosenstein drafted a memo in 2017 that recommended President Donald Trump fire FBI Director James Comey.
He subsequently appointed former Special Counsel Robert Mueller to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election and alleged collusion between Russian operatives and members of Trump’s campaign.
Graham previously said he would investigate “all things related” to the Crossfire Hurricane including Mueller’s appointment as special counsel.
“Was there a legitimate reason to conclude the Trump campaign had colluded with the Russians?” Graham asked.
The South Carolina senator has also indicated he plans to hold votes to subpoena a wide range of officials from former President Barack Obama’s administration, as IJR reported.