Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein dropped two bombshells during a hotly anticipated appearance before the Senate on Thursday, less than 24 hours after he announced the appointment of a special counsel in the FBI’s investigation into Russian meddling in the presidential election. According to lawmakers, Rosenstein confirmed that the bureau’s investigation is no longer strictly a counterintelligence investigation — a kind of probe that does not normally result in charges — but also a criminal one.
He also said he was aware President Trump intended to fire Comey prior to penning a memo that the White House later used as its justification for the dismissal.
Lawmakers emerged from the closed-door meeting painting a sober picture of the briefing. Sen. Christopher Coons (D-Del.) described the mood in the room as serious and thoughtful.
Full Article: Senators told of broadening Russia investigation | TheHill.