What We Know And What We Don’t

US President Donald Trump speaks with Rod Rosenstein (R), US Deputy Attorney General, during a roundtable discussion on immigration at Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage, New York, May 23, 2018. (Photo by ... US President Donald Trump speaks with Rod Rosenstein (R), US Deputy Attorney General, during a roundtable discussion on immigration at Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage, New York, May 23, 2018. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS

By Josh Marshall

September 24, 2018 12:54 p.m.

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[ed.note: Just after I finished this piece, I saw the latest report that Trump has punted this decision to Thursday, after he’s back from Washington. That’s consistent with what I explained below.]

I just got this email from TPM Reader JO. Let me try to answer these questions as well as I can – an exercise that will largely turn on explaining all we don’t know.

I’d really benefit from one of your members-only brief summaries of the recent Rosenstein developments.

Was the NYT article regarding Rosenstein & the 25th amendment factual? fabricated? If the latter, by whom? Who was pushing the NYT to get it wrong (if it was wrong)?

What was up with Hannity pushing Trump NOT to fire Rosenstein?

What is the state of knowledge regarding Rosenstein today: pushed or jumped?

In general: who are the major players in this drama, what are their interests, and how does this explain what we are observing?

I’m finding this story unusually confusing.

Looking forward to your insights.

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