2) Last week, Bob Goodlatte and Trey Gowdy announced that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was meeting with them on Oct. 24 for a transcribed interview along with Ranking Members Jerry Nadler and Elijah Cummings.
judiciary.house.gov/press-release/…
judiciary.house.gov/press-release/…
3) The interview will be conducted in a secure setting so "all relevant questions can be asked and answered without regard to classification."
Additionally, the interview will be under oath and transcribed.
Additionally, the interview will be under oath and transcribed.
4) It’s worth keeping in mind that the special counsel probe by Robert Mueller appears to be winding down.
Four of Mueller's prosecutors have left the special counsel’s office in recent months.
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Four of Mueller's prosecutors have left the special counsel’s office in recent months.
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
5) Additionally, the DOJ Inspector General has been involved in an ongoing investigation of FISA abuse since March 28.
That investigation is likely nearing the final stages and a report could be released in the next couple of months.
That investigation is likely nearing the final stages and a report could be released in the next couple of months.
6) The interview arrangement is tailored to curtail any leaks.
Rosenstein, who is not under any requirement to attend the interview, has as much information on these two investigations as anyone in the DOJ.
Rosenstein, who is not under any requirement to attend the interview, has as much information on these two investigations as anyone in the DOJ.
7) Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo interviewed Goodlatte regarding his pending interview with Rosenstein on October 21, 2018.
Goodlatte specified the parameters for the Rosenstein interview at the outset.
video.foxnews.com/v/585154796700…
Goodlatte specified the parameters for the Rosenstein interview at the outset.
video.foxnews.com/v/585154796700…
8) "There is no limitation on the scope of these questions. That's why it will be limited to the people who in the room and that it will be in a classified setting.
We'll have a court reporter present who has a security clearance. And we'll have a transcript of that interview."
We'll have a court reporter present who has a security clearance. And we'll have a transcript of that interview."
9) Goodlatte said he wants to know about reports of Rosenstein discussing wearing a wire at the White House.
The alleged comments by Rosenstein occurred at a meeting where Andrew McCabe was “pushing for the Justice Department to open an investigation into the president.”
The alleged comments by Rosenstein occurred at a meeting where Andrew McCabe was “pushing for the Justice Department to open an investigation into the president.”
10) Goodlatte seemed to indicate skepticism regarding the rumors.
"We have all of this based upon a newspaper report,” he said. “We have third party testimony that we've heard in our investigation. We know he's met with President Trump."
"We have all of this based upon a newspaper report,” he said. “We have third party testimony that we've heard in our investigation. We know he's met with President Trump."
11) "President Trump has been satisfied and said that he wants him to continue on as his number two at the Department of Justice.
But the Congress has oversight responsibilities, so we're gonna ask him about those questions, along with many other things."
But the Congress has oversight responsibilities, so we're gonna ask him about those questions, along with many other things."
12) Goodlatte commented on reports that Jordan & Meadows were blocked from the interview:
"No, they're not blocked at all."
"In fact, Chairman Gowdy and I have made it very clear to the other members of our task force that we will ask any questions that they put forward to us."
"No, they're not blocked at all."
"In fact, Chairman Gowdy and I have made it very clear to the other members of our task force that we will ask any questions that they put forward to us."
13) "This in fact was a proposal that Chairman Gowdy and I put forward in order to get a full, transparent discussion in a closed room where you have the opportunity to ask any question that needs to be asked … have it in a classified setting and not be concerned about leaks."
14) Bartiromo asked, "Did Rod Rosenstein set up the idea that it could only be you and Gowdy and two Democrats in the room. That was his idea, that he only wanted..."
Goodlatte interjected and immediately corrected Bartiromo:
"No, no. That was our proposal."
Goodlatte interjected and immediately corrected Bartiromo:
"No, no. That was our proposal."
15) Goodlatte:
"We have not talked to anybody who was in the room yet."
"We have heard from people who were outside the room, who have talked to people who were in the room, and we want to talk to Mr. Rosenstein about the information we have garnered from those folks."
"We have not talked to anybody who was in the room yet."
"We have heard from people who were outside the room, who have talked to people who were in the room, and we want to talk to Mr. Rosenstein about the information we have garnered from those folks."
16) Goodlatte made an unexpected disclosure:
"We have an awful lot of witnesses that we are able to talk to, as well as people in the Department of Justice and the FBI, who have provided us information as whistle-blowers … we're putting together a lot of useful information."
"We have an awful lot of witnesses that we are able to talk to, as well as people in the Department of Justice and the FBI, who have provided us information as whistle-blowers … we're putting together a lot of useful information."
17) Goodlatte then turned towards ongoing investigations - including his own:
"After the election, we're going to proceed with an interim report of our findings … and you have an Inspector General, who has been looking into the FISA Warrant Abuse allegations."
"After the election, we're going to proceed with an interim report of our findings … and you have an Inspector General, who has been looking into the FISA Warrant Abuse allegations."
18) @RepGoodlatte , who is retiring, reminded Bartiromo that both he and Gowdy retain their chairmanship until Jan. 3, 2019.
Indicating that Goodlatte believes he will have time to release his investigation regardless of any midterm election outcome.
Indicating that Goodlatte believes he will have time to release his investigation regardless of any midterm election outcome.
19) Goodlatte: “This will be an important opportunity, in appropriate setting, to ask all of those questions regarding the conduct of an investigation that began long before he became involved."
"But he certainly was at the crux of it at the moment that James Comey was fired."
"But he certainly was at the crux of it at the moment that James Comey was fired."
20) After recent interviews of James Baker and Bruce Ohr, there have been well-intentioned disclosures to the media re: the substance of those meetings.
While this can be satisfying to those of us in the public forum, these disclosures have a chilling effect on future testimony.
While this can be satisfying to those of us in the public forum, these disclosures have a chilling effect on future testimony.
21) Goodlatte likely structured this interview with those disclosures in mind.
Given proximity of the finalization of the Mueller probe and the Inspector General's investigation into FISA abuse, a status update on these matters from Rosenstein is likely.
Given proximity of the finalization of the Mueller probe and the Inspector General's investigation into FISA abuse, a status update on these matters from Rosenstein is likely.
22) It's crucial that Goodlatte and Gowdy provide a fully secure environment in order to allow for a complete and confidential briefing from Rosenstein.
/End
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