Rep. Jim Jordan James (Jim) Daniel JordanHouse passes resolution condemning anti-Asian discrimination relating to coronavirus Republicans call for Judiciary hearing into unrest in cities run by Democrats Trump, GOP seek to rebut Democratic narrative on night one MORE (R-Ohio), the ranking Republican member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, renewed his call on Wednesday for 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 to testify before Congress following reports from multiple news outlets stating that he will resign in the coming weeks.

Jordan, in a sharply worded statement, demanded that Rosenstein explain to Congress a report from The New York Times late last year that claimed Rosenstein spoke to associates about the possibility of wearing a wire to record President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE without his knowledge.

"The American people have a right to know if the Deputy Attorney General plotted to wear a wire to secretly record the President with the goal of removing him from office," Jordan wrote, referring to the Times report which also claimed that Rosenstein had broached the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This is a serious matter and one Mr. Rosenstein must account for under oath. Rod Rosenstein's expected departure from his post in no way absolves him of his responsibility to answer questions before Congress. I hope and expect Chairman Cummings will expeditiously seek Mr. Rosenstein's prompt appearance before Congress," Jordan added.

House Freedom Caucus members last fall demanded Rosenstein's testimony following the report's publication, despite denials from the top Justice Department official that he had never considered attempting to persuade Cabinet members to remove the president from office over concerns about his mental fitness.

“I think at this particular point, Rod Rosenstein’s priorities are misplaced. His unwillingness to come before Congress and allow us to conduct proper congressional oversight, along with the other information that we’ve learned over the last week or so, would indicate that Rosenstein has not displayed the candor of which would support one’s theory of actually believing that he has been open and honest in all regards," Rep. Mark Meadows Mark Randall MeadowsTrump won't attend UN General Assembly in person, Meadows says McConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Overnight Health Care: Ex-Pence aide backs Biden over virus response | Trump's sharp words put CDC director on hot seat | Trump coronavirus adviser threatens to sue Stanford researchers MORE (R-N.C.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said at the time.

Rosenstein previously called the Times report "factually incorrect," and has not commented further on claims that he discussed wearing a wire and to secretly record the president's conversations with other top officials.

“The New York Times’s story is inaccurate and factually incorrect,” Rosenstein said last year. “I will not further comment on a story based on anonymous sources who are obviously biased against the department and are advancing their own personal agenda.

"But let me be clear about this: Based on my personal dealings with the president, there is no basis to invoke the 25th Amendment,” he added.