Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein warns against anonymous sources

Ryan W. Miller | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Rosenstein warns against stories citing anonymous sources Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein put out a statement Thursday saying Americans should be "skeptical" of stories that cite unnamed sources. Video provided by Newsy

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told Americans Thursday to be "skeptical" about stories with anonymous sources.

"Americans should exercise caution before accepting as true any stories attributed to anonymous ‘officials,' particularly when they do not identify the country — let alone the branch or agency of government — with which the alleged sources supposedly are affiliated," Rosenstein said in a statement that was being circulated on social media.

Rosenstein added that the Department of Justice "has a long-established policy" not to confirm these kinds of allegations.

In May, Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to led the investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election. Rosenstein also wrote a memo that provided the Trump administration a basis to fire then-FBI director Comey.

Although Rosenstein's statement Thursday does not mention any specific story, the warning comes the same day as a Washington Post story citing an anonymous source reported that Mueller was investigating the business dealings of the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Many on social media were quick to call Rosenstein's statement "bizarre" and "unusual."

Strange new statement from Deputy AG Rosenstein on 'anonymous allegations', says "Americans should be skeptical". pic.twitter.com/BxRCCvRWXg — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 16, 2017

Unusual statement issued tonight by US Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein. pic.twitter.com/FitRXYToNs — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) June 16, 2017

Have literally never seen a statement like this https://t.co/94zbnIqsVc — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 16, 2017

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