Trump says he has no plans to fire Rosenstein

President Trump on Monday said that he has no plans to fire Rod Rosenstein, punctuating weeks of speculation about the deputy attorney general’s future.

Trump, who made the comments before boarding Air Force One to head to an event in Orlando, Fla., also said he has a “good relationship” with Rosenstein.

Rosenstein traveled with the president to Orlando. A White House spokesperson said the two spoke for roughly 30 minutes during the flight. 

{mosads}“I look forward to being with him, that’ll be very nice,” Trump told reporters from the White House lawn before departing. “We’re going to be talking. We’ll be talking on the plane.”

“I actually have a good relationship — other than there’s been no collusion folks, no collusion,” Trump continued, using a phrase he often employs to describe the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election, which Rosenstein oversees at the Justice Department. 

“I have a very good relationship. We’ll see,” Trump said.

When departing the plane in Orlando, Trump said the conversation with Rosenstein went “great” when asked by a reporter.

Rosenstein has been in the spotlight for several weeks after The New York Times reported that he discussed secretly taping the president and recruiting Cabinet members to invoke the 25th Amendment in conversations last year. 

Rosenstein has vigorously denied the report that prompted wide speculation that he could resign or be fired.

Trump has repeatedly delayed planned meetings with the deputy attorney general since the report, with the White House saying last week that Trump would push it until after the confirmation vote of his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh was confirmed to the court by a 50-48 vote on Saturday.

Trump has at times criticized Rosenstein and his boss, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, over the Russia investigation. It was Rosenstein who last year appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate Russian election interference, including whether there was any collusion between Trump’s campaign and Moscow.

Trump said Monday that he gets along “very well” with Rosenstein.

“I didn’t know Rod before but I’ve gotten to know him and I get along very well with him,” Trump said.

Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at the annual convention of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Orlando.

Brett Samuels contributed.

Updated at 1:05 p.m.