there is precedent for that, political reasons, as margaret pointed out, for doing that. that may be a separate strategy. still don't understand why he's going after his own deputy attorney general. but let me read you a statement from the deputy attorney general last night that had us all scratching our heads before we were scratching our heads this morning by the statement from the president. rod rosenstein wrote last night, apparently without provocation, "americans should exercise caution before accepting as true any stories attributed to anonymous officials, particularly when they don't doo not identify the country, let alone the branch or agency of government, with which the alleged sources supposedly are affiliated." talking about americans, maybe rod rosenstein stew a story was coming out and sent a message to the president, saying don't believe it. maybe that's what he's talking about there. there's a lot of back and forth between key players and we just don't know what's happening. >> very interesting point, john. listen, my imagination runs along the idea that someone from the white house, perhaps the general counsel's office, wanted a stronger statement from rod