Focus now on Trump
Officials to give evidence
THE Special Counsel investigating Russia’s interference in the US election has widened his probe to include allegations President Donald Trump attempted to obstruct justice.
In a pivotal shift in the investigation, intelligence officials have agreed to be interviewed by investigators working for special counsel, Robert Mueller, the Washington Post reported.
It said those who have agreed to be interviewed are Daniel Coats, the director of national intelligence, Admiral Mike Rogers, head of the National Security Agency, and his recently departed deputy, Richard Ledgett.
The newspaper’s report brought a furious reaction from Mr Trump’s lawyer.
The shift toward investigating the US president started days after Mr Trump fired James Comey as FBI director on May 9, the Post said. The stated focus has been Russia’s alleged efforts to tilt the presidential election and whether the winner’s campaign was involved in any way.
Mr Mueller, a former head of the FBI, has taken up the angle of possible efforts by Mr Trump to obstruct justice in the investigation, the Post said.
Quoting officials, the newspaper said one event of interest is an exchange on March 22, when Mr Coats told associates Mr Trump had asked him to intervene with Mr Comey to get him to back off the focus on former national security adviser Mike Flynn as part of the probe of the Russia affair.
A few days later, he spoke separately with Mr Coats and Admiral Rogers, and asked them to issue statements to the effect there was no evidence of co-ordination between his campaign and Russia. The Post said both refused the request.
Mr Trump’s lawyer Marc Kasowitz issued a statement saying the FBI was behind the Post story and called the leak “outrageous, inexcusable and illegal”.
Mr Mueller briefed senators yesterday on his work.
“I’m going to acknowledge we had a meeting with the special counsel Mueller, but I’m not going to get into the contests,” said Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Mr Trump, his campaign office and Moscow are the subject of five investigations.
SENATE INTELLIGENCE: Examining Russia’s interference in the election, as well as alleged collusion with the Trump campaign office.
SENATE JUDICIARY: Examining the circumstances leading to the dismissal of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
HOUSE INTELLIGENCE: Examining leaks to the media, as well as Russian electoral interference and Moscow’s ties to the Trump camp.
HOUSE OVERSIGHT: Examining Flynn’s contacts with Russian officials, including payments he received.
SPECIAL COUNSEL: Examining allegations Mr Trump attempted to obstruct justice by firing Comey, possible financial impropriety by Trump associates, Trump-camp ties to Russia and Russia’s involvement in the election.