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Rod Rosenstein Confirmed As Deputy Attorney General

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein has been confirmed as deputy attorney general.

For more than a decade, Rosenstein has been in Baltimore as Maryland's top federal prosecutor. Now the U.S. Senate has confirmed him to an even higher office.

He became a familiar face in his attempts to shut down crime around the state.

Rosenstein earned the distinction of being the longest serving U.S. attorney in the country, a position he held for 12 years.

As he waited for final confirmation to help lead the critical U.S. Justice Department, he spoke with WJZ's Vic Carter.

[Reporter: "Looking back at the number of cases you've handled, how would you just describe it in your own words?"]

"As I reflect back on what we've done over the past 12 years, I'm very proud of the folks that I worked with and the things that we've done. I think ultimately the value of the office is reflected on what we do for the people of Maryland," Rosenstein said.

He will be second in command behind Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The Senate voted 94-6 to confirm Rosenstein.

He is expected to lead the charge on investigating any connections between the Russians and the U. S. elections.

Our media partner, The Baltimore Sun says Sen. Ben Cardin, speaking on the floor before the vote, described Rosenstein as someone who "will not yield to partisan pressure" and said it is "good to know that we have that kind of person that we can confirm [for] deputy attorney general."

Maryland's Democrats, Cardin and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, both voted in favor of Rosenstein's confirmation, the Sun also says.

"He has remained at the justice department for his entire career. Mr. President, Mr. Rosenstein has devoted his life to public service," Cardin said.

One of the first things he is expected to work on is the Justice Department'ss investigation into President Trump and Russia.

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