Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein Rod RosensteinDOJ kept investigators from completing probe of Trump ties to Russia: report Five takeaways from final Senate Intel Russia report FBI officials hid copies of Russia probe documents fearing Trump interference: book MORE reportedly offered strong praise for the new interim head of the Justice Department on Friday, calling acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker a "superb" choice to take the reins from Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE.

ABC News reports that Rosenstein commented on the transition at a swearing-in ceremony for U.S. Attorney Zach Terwilliger on Friday, calling Whitaker a "superb choice for attorney general" who "certainly understands the work, understands the priorities of the department.”

When asked about the future of special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE's investigation into the Trump campaign and Russian election interference, Rosenstein reportedly declined to answer questions and walked away.

Whitaker assumed the position of acting attorney general upon Sessions's ouster Wednesday from the Department of Justice (DOJ) a day after Democrats took control of the House in Tuesday's midterm elections.

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Sessions, a frequent target of criticism and insults from President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE had been rumored to be planning an exit from DOJ for months, but the timing of Wednesday's announcement caught many in Washington off-guard.

His replacement has come under scrutiny for his past comments about Mueller's probe, as well as his stance on the judiciary and the Supreme Court.

Trump defended his selection earlier Friday while also claiming not to know Whitaker personally, despite having referred to him in the past as a "great guy."

"I didn't speak to Matt Whitaker about it. I don't know Matt Whitaker," Trump told reporters at the White House before heading to France.