Ex-Deputy AG Rosenstein defends Russia probe role

Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is defending his decision to appoint a special counsel to scrutinize ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

He testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing Wednesday that he thought appointing Robert Mueller as special counsel was the best way to complete the investigation appropriately and ensure public confidence in its conclusions.

Republican allies of President Donald Trump have taken fresh aim in recent months at the investigation and at the law enforcement and intelligence officials who conducted it.