New York Times Asks Rod Rosenstein To ‘Save Your Honor’ In Rare Open Letter

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By Dave Goldiner May 11, 2017

The New York Times pleaded with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to “save your honor” and appoint a special counsel to investigate President Trump’s ties to Russia.

In a rare open letter, the Grey Lady’s editorial board warned Rosenstein that he has an outsized responsibility to “safeguard American democracy” after the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

“You have one choice: Appoint a special counsel who is independent of both the department and the White House,” the Times wrote.

The editorial board took note of Rosenstein’s reputation for independence and his long and respected tenure as a prosecutor. It said it understood the reasoning behind his memo criticizing Comey — but noted that Trump used the memo as an excuse to fire the FBI chief.

The paper warned Rosenstein that appointing a special counsel a step might anger Trump — and even cost him his job.

But it would put him alongside other officials who stood up in times of crisis, such as the Watergate scandal.

“Add your name to this short, heroic list. Yes, it might cost you your job. But it would save your honor, and so much more besides.”

Dave Goldiner is the Forward’s director of digital media. Dave is a veteran journalist who has spent two decades working at newspapers in the United States and Africa. A native New Yorker, Goldiner wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered some of the biggest stories of our time, including the attacks of September 11, along with thousands of stories of hope and heartbreak. He also studied and worked in Southern Africa and has written for publications in South Africa and Zimbabwe. He holds masters degrees in journalism and public administration from Columbia University. Dave can be reached at goldiner@forward.com, or follow him on Twitter @davegoldiner

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