"My deputy, Rod Rosenstein, is highly capable. I have the highest confidence in him," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said during a press conference in Boston. | Charles Krupa/AP Photo Sessions defends Rosenstein as House conservatives push to impeach him

Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday defended his second in command, Rod Rosenstein, a day after House conservatives began an effort to impeach the deputy attorney general.

"My deputy, Rod Rosenstein, is highly capable. I have the highest confidence in him," Sessions said during a news conference in Boston.


Reps. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on Wednesday evening introduced articles of impeachment for Rosenstein. The two lawmakers accuse Rosenstein of obstructing subpoenas sent to the Justice Department requesting sensitive documents connected to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the 2016 election, plus additional FBI records.

House Speaker Paul Ryan on Thursday rejected this push, despite support from other GOP lawmakers, such as Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

Sessions said he would rather see Congress "focus their time" on other issues.

"What I would like Congress to do is to focus on some of the legal challenges that are out there," Sessions said, adding that he would like to see it address immigration instead.

"That's where I would like to see them focus their time," he concluded.