New York Times Asks Rod Rosenstein To ‘Save Your Honor’ In Rare Open Letter
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.”
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO