White House Spokesperson: Rosenstein’s Extortion Comment ‘Has Nothing To Do With Us’

Shortly after Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein reacted to threats of impeachment from House GOP members by saying the Justice Department would not “be extorted,” White House spokesperson Hogan Gidley appeared on CNN’s The Lead. And during his interview with anchor Jake Tapper, Gidley explained that Rosenstein’s comments had nothing to do with the Trump administration.

Prior to bringing on Gidley, Tapper noted that Tuesday was a huge day in the Russia investigation as besides Rosenstein declaring he won’t be influenced by threats there was also the publication of 49 questions that Special Counsel Robert Mueller wants to ask President Donald Trump. He then asked the Trump flack how he interpreted the deputy AG’s remark and if he believed Rosenstein was talking about Trump considering the president has been very critical of the high-ranking DOJ official.

“Well obviously you’ll have to ask Mr. Rosenstein about that,” Gidley responded. “That has nothing to do with us. And obviously, you’ll have to ask Congress about their willingness to draft these articles of impeachment. But that has nothing to do with us here at the White House. We’re moving along and cooperating in every way possible.”

The CNN anchor went on to press Gidley on Trump falsely claiming that none of Mueller’s questions are on collusion, pointing out that there are more than ten questions listed that have to do with that subject. Gidley told Tapper he would have to defer to Trump’s legal team on that matter.

Watch the clip above, via CNN.