Republicans file impeachment articles against Rosenstein - here's why they did it

Several Republicans in the House of Representatives filed articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein Wednesday.

Here's why they want Rosenstein impeached

Republicans claimed in the resolution that Rosenstein had improperly refused to hand over documents requested by Republican members of Congress investigating claims of bias and corruption at the Department of Justice and the FBI.

"We can't get answers for the American people if we can't get information from the DOJ," tweeted Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). "It’s time to impeach Rod Rosenstein."

"I just filed a resolution with [Jim Jordan] and several colleagues to impeach Rod Rosenstein," said Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) Wednesday in a tweet.

"The DOJ has continued to hide information from Congress and repeatedly obstructed oversight — even defying multiple Congressional subpoenas," he added. "We have had enough."

Conflicts of interest?

The resolution accused Rosenstein of having conflicts of interest that should have led to his recusal from overseeing special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election meddling and alleged collusion with the Trump campaign.

"[Rosenstein's] conduct in authorizing the FISA surveillance at issue in the joint congressional investigation makes him a fact witness central to the ongoing investigation of potential FISA abuse,” read the articles of impeachment.

“Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein’s failure to recuse himself in light of this inherent conflict of interest and failure to recommend the appointment of a second Special Counsel constitute dereliction of duty," the resolution continued. "Wherefore, Rod Rosenstein, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.”

Democrats condemn the action

Leaders of the Democratic Party immediately condemned the impeachment action taken toward Rosenstein.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) accused Republicans of ignoring the threat to national security from election interference by the Russians, and said they would rather "attack Mueller’s investigation & protect Trump from the rule of law."

House Intelligence Committee ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) also decried the motion in a tweet.

"These articles of impeachment against Rod Rosenstein were filed in bad faith and show extraordinary lengths to which House Republicans will go to protect Trump," Schiff said.

"History will record these Members as willing accomplices in the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generation," he added.

Former Obama administration Attorney General Eric Holder also weighed in on the resolution.

"See this for what it is," Holder said. "An attempt by complicit Republicans led by Meadows and Jordan to delegitimize a probe being conducted by DOJ."

"These Trump lackeys have to decide what they value: the rule of law or doing everything to protect Trump," he concluded. "Be strong DOJ."

Here's the Fox News report on the action taken against Rosenstein:

However, the move by Republicans was not filed as a "privileged resolution." This means that it does not force House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) to call a vote on the resolution immediately.