WASHINGTON, DC, USA (AP) — House Speaker Paul Ryan says he does not support an effort by Republican House conservatives to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

At a news conference yesterday, Ryan said he doesn’t think lawmakers should be “cavalier” with the impeachment process.

He also said Rosenstein’s back-and-forth with congressional Republicans over document requests doesn’t rise to the level of “high crimes and misdemeanours” that would warrant impeachment under the Constitution.

Ryan made the comments a day after a group of 11 GOP lawmakers filed articles of impeachment against Rosenstein.

The group, led by Rep Mark Meadows of North Carolina, has criticised Rosenstein and Justice Department officials for not being responsive enough as House committees have requested documents related to the Russia investigation and the closed investigation into Democrat Hillary Clinton’s e-mails

The 11 House members who introduced the articles of impeachment are led by an ardent Trump defender, congressman Mark Meadows of North Carolina.

They accused Rosenstein of failing to provide information to House committees, even though the Justice Department has already provided more than 800,000 documents. They also accuse Rosenstein of signing off on improper surveillance of a Trump adviser.