Lindsey Graham Has Named the First Witness in His FISA Abuse Investigation

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham announced Wednesday afternoon former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will be the first witness in the inquiry into FISA abuse, Mueller's Special Counsel investigation and origins of the Russia investigation. He will testify on June 3.

“Mr. Rosenstein will testify about the new revelations contained in the Horowitz report concerning the FISA warrant applications and other matters," Graham released in a statement. “This will be the first in a series of oversight hearings regarding all things Crossfire Hurricane and the Mueller investigation.”

Rosenstein has agreed to testify.

"I am grateful to Chairman Graham for the opportunity to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about information that has come to light concerning the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act process and the FBI's counterintelligence decision-making, as a result of completely inquiries by Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz and ongoing reviews by U.S. Attorneys John Durham and Jeff Jensen," Rosenstein released in a statement to Axios. "During my three decades of service in law enforcement, I learned firsthand that most local, state, and federal enforcement officers deserve the high confidence people place in them, but also that even the best law enforcement officers make mistakes, and that some engage in willful misconduct. Independent law enforcement investigations, judicial review, and congressional oversight are important checks on the discretion of agents and prosecutors. We can only hope to maintain public confidence if we correct mistakes, hold wrongdoers accountable, and adopt policies to prevent problems from recurring."

Rosenstein oversaw Robert Mueller's Special Counsel investigation and was put in charge  of all things Russia after former Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself in 2017.

In September 2018, Rosenstein was accused of wanting to invoke the 25th amendment to remove President Trump from office. He denied the charge. He also said his comments about wearing a wire to secretly record meetings with President Trump were made in jest.