Dick Durbin: Rod Rosenstein was ‘duped’ into writing reason for James Comey’s firing

Sen. Dick Durbin said Friday the deputy attorney general was “duped” into writing the recommendation to fire former FBI Director James B. Comey.

“I do trust [Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein],” Mr. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, said on MSNBC. “I believe he was duped into writing this fictitious reason for the dismissal of Comey when as the president blurted out last night to [NBC News’ Lester Holt] the real reason was the Russia investigation.”

Mr. Durbin said Mr. Rosenstein has two choices moving forward: Get an independent prosecutor for the Russia investigation or resign.

“Right now, he has two very stark and important options. The first is to appoint a special prosecutor so we can get to the heart of this with an independent person outside the government with no political label. Really initiating and continuing this investigation. The second is to resign,” he said.

Mr. Durbin said Mr. Trump’s tweet about possible “tapes” of conversations he’s had with Mr. Comey is false, but also shows the dangers of the president.

“President Trump is dangerous,” the senator said. “His credibility has been destroyed.”