New York Times reporter explains what his explosive Rod Rosenstein report means for the Mueller probe

One of the reporters who penned the bombshell New York Times report alleging Rod Rosenstein recorded his conversations with Donald Trump explained the context surrounding the deputy attorney general's memos — and why he sees himself as special counsel Robert Mueller's "protector."

In a phone interview with MSNBC's Katy Tur, Washington correspondent Michael Schmidt noted that the bombastic report was focused "what was going on between firing [of former FBI director James Comey] and appointment of Mueller."

"We're looking at what he was considering in that period of time, what he was discussing and what he was telling others," Schmidt said.

The reporter also noted that Rosenstein sees himself as the "protector of Mueller."

"He does everything to try to protect Mueller and appease the president," Schmidt said. He later said that the deputy attorney general is trying to ensure the special counsel can "do everything he can" in spite of concerns that the president may fire one or both of them. 

Watch below, via MSNBC: