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Hello from the Justice Dept., where DAG Rod Rosenstein is having his farewell ceremony. In addition to all the expected DOJ luminaries, have also spotted Emmet Flood from the White House counsel's office, former White House counsel Don McGahn, and DC Circuit Judge Greg Katsas 
Also spotted at Rosenstein's goodbye event: White House counselor Kellyanne Conway
Reunited: Rosenstein is sitting on stage between AG Bill Barr and former AG Jeff Sessions
Former AG Sessions is up, he begins by saying that Rosenstein is one of DOJ's "most important leaders in its history"
Sessions says that one of the things he has in common with Rosenstein is both were unsuccessfully nominated to the federal bench. Maryland's senators blocked Rosenstein's nomination, saying he was needed as US atty. Sessions' nomination failed in 1986 amid allegations of racism.
Sessions gets laughs when he says of him and Rosenstein: "Our run exceeded my expectations. Considerably."
Who can forget that 2018 jam, "Mister Peepers"
AG Barr begins his remarks by calling up Rosenstein to ask the crowd to settle a long-running debate over who has the best deadpan expression at press conferences. Rosenstein wins
Barr talks about how early in Rosenstein's career at DOJ, Barr was AG and Robert Mueller led the Criminal Division. Barr said he couldn't have predicted that they'd be "getting the band back together"
We are now watching a Rod Rosenstein tribute video. Barr noted that it's not tradition for a departing DAG to get a farewell ceremony in DOJ's Great Hall, but it was the right thing to do given his career at the department
Rosenstein gets a standing ovation when he goes up to speak. He notes that he's served under five presidents and nine Senate-confirmed attorneys general. When it comes to individual cases, he says, "this department stands apart from politics"
Rosenstein, talking about sticking with one's principles: "It is most important to follow the rules when the stakes are highest."
Rosenstein concludes: "I leave here confident that justice is in good hands, in your hands"
Principal Associate DAG Ed O'Callaghan, who gained some fame as the guy with the robust beard standing behind Rosenstein and Barr at press conferences, ends the ceremony by giving Rosenstein a fake beard that he can wear
