Democrats' soured view of Rod Rosenstein diminishes complex role he played in Mueller probe

Liberals thought deputy attorney general was their Trump-slayer, conservatives once wanted him impeached.

For nearly two years, Democrats figured Rod Rosenstein was their man in the Mueller investigation. They fought vehemently to keep him from being fired. They even went to court to try to make him acting attorney general.

Republicans, meanwhile, were so furious with the deputy attorney general that some drew up articles of impeachment last year.

Yet it was Mr. Rosenstein who spent the weekend ensconced with new Attorney General William P. Barr, reading special counsel Robert Mueller’s report, then joining in the conclusion that President Trump not only didn’t engage in any conspiracy to subvert the 2016 election, but also should not be charged with obstruction of justice.

Experts say Democrats unfairly decided Mr. Rosenstein was their Trump-slayer, when he was simply a government official trying to manage a fair investigation.

“I remember when Rosenstein supposedly was going to be fired and all the Democrats were increasingly concerned, thinking that he was on their side,” said Ian Prior, a former Justice Department official. “He wasn’t on anyone’s side — he was on the side of the rule of law and a fair but thorough investigation.”

In the aftermath of Mr. Mueller’s report and its no-collusion conclusion, Democrats’ feelings toward Mr. Rosenstein have shifted.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island Democrat, said Sunday that senators must haul him, along with Mr. Barr and Mr. Mueller, up to the Capitol and have them “sitting side-by-side” to talk about how they reached their conclusions.