Rod Rosenstein is the one "person with the most authority" to "restore Americans' confidence in their government," The New York Times wrote in an open letter to the deputy attorney general.
Rosenstein, whose three-page memo earlier this week was staged by President Donald Trump's administration as the impetus to fire FBI Director James Comey, has one play and one play only — "appoint a special counsel who is independent of both the department and the White House," the Times advises.
"In theory, no one should have a greater interest in a credible investigation than the president, who has repeatedly insisted the suspicions about his campaign are baseless," the Times wrote.
"Yet rather than try to douse suspicions, he has shown he is more than willing to inflame them by impeding efforts to get to the truth."
The Times writes that it sympathizes with Rosenstein, whose 27-year career in the Justice Department serving five administrations displayed a "sterling reputation" that was tarnished the minute Trump used his "solid brief" as a "recommendation" to fire Comey.
"You must also know that in ordering you to write the memo, Mr. Trump exploited the integrity you have earned over nearly three decades in public service, spending down your credibility as selfishly as he has spent other people’s money throughout his business career," the Times wrote.
Rosenstein reportedly nearly resigned over the fiasco.
"We can only hope that your lack of an explicit recommendation to fire Mr. Comey reflects your own refusal to go as far as the president wanted you to," the Times wrote.
With his boss, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, having recused himself from the Russia investigation, Rosenstein is the next in line — albeit in the spotlight with a target on his back — with the authority to appoint a special prosecutor.
"Few public servants have found themselves with a choice as weighty as yours, between following their conscience and obeying a leader trying to evade scrutiny," the Times wrote.
"You can add your name to this short, heroic list. Yes, it might cost you your job. But it would save your honor, and so much more besides," the Times concluded.
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