Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is reportedly considering recusing himself from the Russia investigation

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein apparently voiced concerns that he might have to recuse himself from the ongoing investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election, ABC News reports. Despite appointing Special Counsel Robert Mueller, Rosenstein has held ultimate authority over the investigation since Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself earlier this year. "[Rosenstein] still makes the final decisions about resources, personnel, and — if necessary — any prosecutions," ABC News notes.

Rosenstein has reportedly not yet sought the opinion of Justice Department attorneys on the matter, which would have indicated how serious his consideration is. People familiar with the conversations said Rosenstein privately floated recusal with colleagues and he told the Justice Department's third-in-command, Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand, that she would have to take over if he went through with recusing himself.

"Potentially complicating matters, Trump posted an exasperated message today on Twitter, dismissing the Russia-related probe as a 'witch hunt' and lamenting that he's 'being investigated for firing the FBI director by the man who told me to fire the FBI director!'" ABC News writes. "Rosenstein is keenly aware that he could become a potential witness in the investigation."

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Separately, Rosenstein issued an unusual statement on anonymous sources late Thursday evening, warning Americans to "exercise caution" when reading the news.