NOT SO SARCASTIC

FBI Lawyer: Rosenstein’s Wiretap Suggestion Was Taken Seriously

Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe reportedly took the deputy AG’s comments to an FBI lawyer for advice on how to respond.

After Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein suggested a wiretap on President Trump and his communications, then-acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe reportedly took Rosenstein’s comments seriously and asked the bureau’s top lawyer for advice on how to respond. The Washington Post reports that McCabe approached lawyer James Baker with what Rosenstein had said, and Baker “dismissed the idea.” Baker reportedly testified in front of congressional investigators last week and said, based on what he had heard from senior FBI officials, that Rosenstein’s concern was “very serious.” However, Baker did not take it as “an official” order. Baker also said the proposal for someone to wear a wire around Trump was dismissed by senior FBI and Justice Department officials “within a couple of days.” Baker’s testimony comes in contrast with Rosenstein’s claim that his wiretapping remarks, along with calls to remove Trump from office, were made sarcastically. The newspaper reports that Rosenstein, whose firing was reportedly imminent in the aftermath of initial reports of his wiretap suggestions, is slated to talk to congressional investigators this week.

SPARED

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