JUSTICE DEPARTMENT/ROBERT MUELLER/RUSSIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Before President Trump headed to meet Vladimir Putin last month, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein requested a meeting in the Oval Office. He was ready to indict Russian officials for election hacking and wanted to know if the president wanted the Justice Department to announce the charges before or after the trip. Mr. Trump told Mr. Rosenstein to issue the statement as soon as possible, adding that it would strengthen his position in talks with Moscow, according to people familiar with the exchange. The moment was the latest indication of a significant change in the rapport between the two men. As the Russia investigation unfolds and some House Republicans mount an effort to impeach him, Mr. Rosenstein has steadily developed a stable relationship with the president that suggests he has more staying power than either his supporters or detractors suspect. Mr. Rosenstein in the past has been a frequent target of the president’s ire as part of his disdain for Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election meddling, which Mr. Rosenstein oversees. Mr. Trump in April had to be warned by aides against firing him. Mr. Rosenstein also personally approved raids on the home, office and hotel room of Mr. Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen.”
-Michael C. Bender and Sadie Gurman, “‘It’s Fantastic!’ Trump Warms to Rosenstein,” The Wall Street Journal, August 8, 2018 5:30 am