Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is expected to leave his role in the coming weeks, according to multiple sources. Rosenstein has communicated to President Donald Trump and White House officials his plan to depart the administration around the time William Barr, Trump's nominee for attorney general, would take office following a Senate confirmation. Sources also say that Rosenstein wants to ensure a smooth transition to his successor and would accommodate the needs of Barr, should he be confirmed.
Those close to Rosenstein say there was no indication that he was being forced out at this moment by the president. After the termination of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, speculation mounted that Rosenstein would depart shortly thereafter, yet he's remained in his post as Matt Whitaker has served as acting Attorney General since late November.
Editorial credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com