NORTH CAROLINA -- As Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling continues, some conservative Republicans on Capitol Hill are taking aim at the man overseeing it all.

  • A group of lawmakers are toying with the idea of impeaching Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general appointed by President Donald Trump
  • House Freedom Caucus Chair Mark Meadows, R-North Carolina, accuses Rosenstein of dragging his feet on turning over subpoenaed documents tied to the Russia investigation
  • A spokesman for Meadows said so far, they have no timeline on when they may move ahead with impeachment, if they do so at all

A group of lawmakers are toying with the idea of impeaching Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general appointed by President Donald Trump.

House Freedom Caucus Chair Mark Meadows, R-North Carolina, accuses Rosenstein of dragging his feet on turning over subpoenaed documents tied to the Russia investigation. 

"We’re still waiting on tens of thousands, not hundreds, but tens of thousands of documents," he said during a recent conservative roundtable press conference. "How long do we have to wait?"

Then this week, Meadows unveiled another tactic. He co-signed a letter calling on the Justice Department's internal watchdog to investigate the deputy AG. 

In the letter, they said he threatened to "use his official investigative powers ... to retaliate against rank-and-file staff members" on Capitol Hill. That is a claim that Rosenstein disputes.

Michael Fauntroy, a professor at Howard University, says other investigators have been questioned in the past. But the talk of impeachment is something new.

"This is the first time that I can recall, whether it was Whitewater or even going back to Watergate, where you have members of Congress who are openly discussing the possibility of impeaching the investigators," he said.

"It’s bigger than Mueller, it’s trying to discredit the entire investigation," he continued.

If they do go ahead with impeachment, it is questionable whether such a move will gain any momentum on Capitol Hill. Democrats object and already some Republicans are saying no way.

"I think Mr. Rosenstein has done a good job, he’s doing what he needs to do. We’re trying to make it too political," said Rep. Walter Jones.

A spokesman for Meadows said so far, they have no timeline on when they may move ahead with impeachment, if they do so at all.

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