Rod Rosenstein: Deputy attorney general who oversaw Trump-Russia investigation set to leave post

Rod Rosenstein, the US deputy attorney general who has overseen Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, is set to leave his post once Donald Trump's pick to run the Justice Department is confirmed.

A frequent target of Mr Trump’s ire, Mr Rosenstein has been a central figure in the drama surrounding the probe, having appointed the special counsel and stood up to pressure from the president to bring it to a close.

The 53-year-old will resign after William Parr, Mr Trump’s nomination to be attorney general, is confirmed by the Senate, a department official said on Wednesday.

Mr Barr is set to appear for a confirmation hearing next week before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which must weigh his nomination before the full Senate considers his approval.

It comes after then-attorney general Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from the Russia investigation, was sacked by Mr Trump shortly after the November midterm elections.

The Justice Department official, who asked not to be named, said there is no specific plan for Mr Rosenstein's departure and that he plans to leave sometime after Mr Barr's confirmation.

If confirmed, Mr Barr, who was US attorney general under the late president George HW Bush from 1991 to 1993, would oversee the investigation led by Mr Mueller, a fellow Republican chosen by Mr Rosenstein.

Mr Barr's nomination is likely to meet heavy scrutiny regarding the ongoing investigation, particularly from Democrats, following reports he had written a memo in June questioning the probe. Mr Rosenstein has said the memo had no impact on the department's work.

Mr Rosenstein will stay on to ensure smooth transition with Mr Barr, the official said, adding that he has seen his job as deputy as a two-year stint and is not being forced out.

Asked about Mr Rosenstein's departure, first reported by ABC News, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said she had not spoken to Mr Rosenstein and would leave any announced departures to him or the president.

"Certainly, I don't think there's any willingness by the president or the White House to push him out," Ms Sanders told Fox News.

Mr Rosenstein has stayed on under acting attorney general Matt Whitaker, whose controversial appointment has sparked numerous legal challenges and raised questions about what role he would play regarding the investigation.

Mr Rosenstein has been frequently criticsed by Mr Trump, who calls the Russia investigation a "witch hunt" and denies any collusion with Moscow. Russia has also denied any election interference.

US intelligence agencies have found that Russia sought to sway the 2016 presidential vote to Mr Trump over Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton.

Additional reporting by Reuters