Stephen Colbert is 'passionately not sure' how to feel about Rod Rosenstein's exit, trolls the NRA
After two long years as deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein has submitted his resignation letter and will be a free man by May 11. "I am passionately not sure how I feel about this," Stephen Colbert said on Tuesday's Late Show. On the one hand, Rosenstein appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and he also once contemplated trying to remove President Trump via the 25th amendment and secretly record him while wearing a wire, Colbert said, though "he later discovered an easier way to get Trump to say something incriminating on tape: Point a camera at him."
"On the other hand," Colbert said, Rosenstein and "Trump's pal William Barr" jointly "decided that Mueller decided that the president did not obstruct justice, even though Mueller never said that," and "in his resignation letter, Rosenstein was surprisingly complimentary to the man he once wanted to secretly record." He speculated on what kind of "courtesy and humor" Trump displayed in their "personal conversations," because "Trump may have been nice to Rosenstein in private, but in public, he was kind of a d--k."
Colbert turned to Trump's proposed changes to asylum laws, including charging asylum-seekers to seek humanitarian refuge. "It makes sense that evangelicals support this man," he said, citing fake scripture. "This is just another way Trump is making America exceptional, because charging a fee for asylum claims would put the United States in the clear minority of countries. You see, these fees are employed by only the most brutal regimes, like Iran and Delta Air Lines."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Late Show also produced a mock National Rifle Association PSA that pokes fun at the NRA's new imperative to defend its tax-exempt status after allegations of grift and financial mismanagement. Watch below. Peter Weber
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How the Russia-Ukraine conflict has spread to Africa
The Explainer Ukraine is attempting to strengthen its alliances on the continent to counter Russia's growing presence
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
A history of Guantánamo Bay
The Explainer War of Terror's 'symbol of torture, rendition and indefinite detention' is subject of new Serial podcast series
By The Week UK Published
-
5 fun Easter activities from The Week Junior
The Week Junior Easter Activities Looking for some fun, simple Easter activities to do with the kids? Look no further – The Week Junior has you covered with these five fun and family-friendly activities.
By The Week UK Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
South Korea passes law banning sale and production of dog meat
Speed Read Rare bipartisan support 'highlights changing attitudes' as young people shun centuries-old tradition
By The Week UK Published
-
Out of touch: Daryl Hall obtains restraining order against bandmate John Oates
Speed Read Lawsuit reveals unharmonious relationship between most commercially successful duo in pop history
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published