Rod was either played, or part of the set-up. I mean, this particular part of it is so obviously a set up:
1) FBI has a secret investigation of POTUS
2) FBI Director tells POTUS he is not under investigation
3) FBI Director leaks to media that POTUS is under investigation
4) Deputy AG Rosenstein writes POTUS letter saying FBI Director must be fired for his leaking, usurpation of DOJ’s role, and for morale in DOJ/FBI
5) POTUS fires FBI Director
6) FBI Director leaks memos and admits this crime to Congress, stating “I leaked them so that the DOJ would appoint a special prosecutor
7) Deputy AG appoints a special prosecutor
It played out exactly the way FBI Director wanted it to. “Insurance Policy”.
I think Rod was kind of naïve about politics at DOJ at the time. When you are that high up anywhere in any government position it is always political.
I know I worked for four different government entities: County of Sacramento, County of San Diego, City of Phoenix, and the State of AZ.
I even turned down a political position for a former governor of AZ knowing how political a position like that would have been. Positions such as those also don’t have protection. They work at the pleasure of the hiring authority.
What’s funny is even after I turned downed that opportunity I still got laid off. Who’d thunk it?
I am happier now though. No offense, but the state of Arizona is a terrible employer.