In a Wednesday hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testified that he wouldn’t have approved the FBI’s FISA warrant to spy on a Trump campaign staffer, if he had known the bureau was lying to him and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. It was testimony that went unreported on ABC’s World News Tonight, the CBS Evening News, and NBC Nightly News, as they all chose to instead fawn for former President Obama’s evening address.
Last year, a Media Research Center study found that the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) spent over 2,200 minutes pushing the Russia collusion hoax before it blew up in their faces. And when the Justice Department’s Inspector General exposed how the FBI had repeatedly lied on their FISA warrant application, the networks downplayed it with one (ABC) defending the error-filled investigation.
So, it came as no surprise when the networks ignored Rosenstein’s testimony.
In contract, Fox News Channel’s Special Report found the time to highlight Rosenstein getting grilled by the committee:
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC) If you knew then, what you know now, would you have signed the warrant application?
FMR. DEPUTY AG ROD ROSENSTEIN: No, I would not.
GRAHAM: And the reason you wouldn't have was because Mr. Horowitz found that exculpatory information was withheld from the court. Was that correct?
ROSENSTEIN: Among other reasons
“Rosenstein was repeatedly pressed about signing an extension of a FISA warrant on former Trump campaign aide, Carter Page. Intelligence officials were concerned Page may have been a Russian asset in 2016, though no hard evidence has come to light to prove that allegation,” reported correspondent David Spunt.
Spunt added: “Last December, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found at least 17 ‘significant errors’ or ‘omissions’ in the Page applications.”
And in a verbal tussle with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley (R) about whether or not he rubber-stamped the FISA application, Rosenstein admitted that he did not read the whole document:
HAWLEY: Just answer my question. Did you rubber stamp –
ROSENSTEIN: No.
HAWLEY: You said a second ago to Senator Cruz, you said “I didn’t rubber-stamp it.”
ROSENSTEIN: If you’d like me to explain, I will.
HAWLEY: But you also testified today that you didn’t read it. So, I’m curious.
ROSENSTEIN: No, I didn’t say—
HAWLEY: Would you like us to have your testimony read back to you? You said, “I can’t say that I read it. I don’t think I read every page.” I mean--
ROSENSTEIN: Yes, I did say that.
Spunt concluded by reminding viewers that “U.S. Attorney John Durham continues his internal criminal probe,” which could lead to prosecutions.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
Fox News Channel’s Special Report
June 3, 2020
6:24:29 p.m. EasternBRET BAIER: Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein says he would not have signed off on a request for surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide if you knew then what he knows now. Correspondent David Spunt has more of Rosenstein’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
[Cuts to video]
DAVID SPUNT: One year after leaving office, former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was back in the hot seat.
SEN. JOSH HAWLEY (R-MO): Who are we to hold responsible? You're saying it's not you.
FMR. DEPUTY AG ROD ROSENSTEIN: No, I'm saying, Senator, that I am accountable for it. But the question is, why did it happen?
SPUNT: Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham called the hearing into the origins of the Russian investigation almost 14 months after former Special Counsel Robert Mueller released his report to the public.
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): Do you consider it to be an utterly baseless and corrupt criminal investigation as you reflect on it today?
ROSENSTEIN: I do not consider the investigation to be corrupt, Senator. But I certainly understand, you know, I understand the President's frustration given the outcome.
SPUNT: Rosenstein was repeatedly pressed about signing an extension of a FISA warrant on former Trump campaign aide, Carter Page. Intelligence officials were concerned Page may have been a Russian asset in 2016, though no hard evidence has come to light to prove that allegation.
Last December, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found at least 17 “significant errors” or “omissions” in the Page applications.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC) If you knew then, what you know now, would you have signed the warrant application?
ROSENSTEIN: No, I would not.
GRAHAM: And the reason you wouldn't have was because Mr. Horowitz found that exculpatory information was withheld from the court. Was that correct?
ROSENSTEIN: Among other reasons
SPUNT: Rosenstein denied proposing the idea to wear a wire in the White House or relying on the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office. He was pressed on the Justice Department’s handling of the case against former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty twice to lying to the FBI.
Flynn withdrew his plea earlier this year and last month, Attorney General Bill Barr announced his intention to drop the case.
SEN. SHELDON WHITEHOUSE (D-RI): I hope that we can receive appropriate assurances here. That whatever investigation we undertake will not be controlled by the Trump White House.
[Cuts back to live]
SPUNT: Tomorrow morning, two Senate committees will vote to authorize multiple subpoenas on the matter. More hearings are expected this summer. This, as U.S. Attorney John Durham continues his internal criminal probe. Bret.
BAIER: David Spunt outside DOJ. David, thanks.
