Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has reportedly chosen a veteran prosecutor as his "right hand" at the Justice Department — including oversight of FBI special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe.
Ed O'Callaghan will serve as the acting principal associate deputy attorney general, a Justice Department official told CNN.
The powerful position is "essentially the deputy attorney general's right hand," Matthew Axelrod, who held the position under former deputy attorney general Sally Yates, told CNN. "You want a consigliere – someone to discuss the most sensitive issues with, to give you sound advice, and to ensure your decisions get implemented."
Other notable ex-Justice officials who have been in the prestigious post include FBI Director Christopher Wray, Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and former White House Counsel Kathy Ruemmler, CNN reported.
O'Callaghan will replace Robert Hur, who is taking Rosenstein's old job as the U.S. Attorney in the District of Maryland, CBS News reported.
In his new spot, O'Callaghan will advise Rosenstein on all major investigations and policy matters, "but generally floats under the radar," CNN reported.
"Edward O'Callaghan has served the Department of Justice with distinction, excelling as a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and most recently as the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the National Security Division" of the Department of Justice, Rosenstein said in a statement, CBS News reported.
"His experiences in a variety of roles throughout the Department will be invaluable as we work to protect our national security, reduce violent crime, and promote the rule of law."
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