Rosenstein Says Most Important Part Of The Job Is To Maintain Public Confidence

Running the Justice Department presents a challenge in any administration. But the Trump era is different.

In just five months, Justice leaders have been under heavy pressure, on everything from the travel ban to the Russia investigation. And one man, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, is bearing the weight.

Here's something you need to know about Rosenstein: he's worked at the Justice Department for his entire career, nearly 27 years. Last year, Rosenstein told NPR the advice he gives younger lawyers. "That the most important part of their job is to protect the brand," he said. "You know, it's important to win cases, it's important to solve crimes, but it's more important that we maintain public confidence in the Department of Justice." Protecting the brand has gotten a lot more difficult. The Trump administration has shaken the foundations of federal law enforcement. First, the attorney general recused himself from the investigation into Russian influence in last year's elections. Then, the president fired the FBI director, citing a critical memo Rosenstein wrote, but later telling an interviewer it was because of the "Russia thing." Then, Rosenstein appointed a special counsel to take over the Russia probe. In the last couple of weeks, the president has floated the idea of firing that special counsel, Robert Mueller. But to do that, he'd have to go through Rod Rosenstein. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, asked him about that recently.