remarks were not meant seriously according to a senior doj official at a meeting on may 16 of 2017. quote, rosenstein was arguing with andrew mccabe about the president according to a senior justice department official. well, what do you want me to do, andy? wear a wire, rosenstein asked at the meeting which also included fbi lawyer lisa page and four doj officials according to this senior official. this official and a source in the room characterized rosenstein s remark as sarcastic. another told nbc news rosenstein was making a serious comment and the anner to mentioned senior doj official also tells nbc news there was a brief mention of the 25th amendment within a note written by deputy director andrew mccabe and that rosenstein did not raise the matter. tonight rosenstein released this statement. quote, i never pursued or authorized recording the