WASHINGTON Several Senate Democrats on Tuesday backed a longtime federal prosecutor nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the No. 2 position in the Justice Department, where hed oversee the federal investigation into connections between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

Rod Rosenstein, currently the top federal prosecutor in Maryland, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning he is open to appointing a special counsel to investigate Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election if necessary.

Im willing to appoint a special counsel ... whenever I determine that its appropriate based upon the policies and procedures of the Justice Department, Rosenstein told the committee.

However, he didnt commit to appointing a special counsel and said, at this point, he didnt see a specific reason he couldnt oversee such an investigation.

If confirmed, Rosenstein would become deputy attorney general, a crucial role just under Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Last week, Sessions recused himself from any investigations connected to Trumps presidential campaign, meaning the probe of connections between Trump associates and Russian officials would fall to Rosenstein.