Giuliani and Trump attack investigators

WASHINGTON— With a number of probes moving closer to the Oval Office, President Donald Trump and his attorney unleashed a series of attacks Sunday on the investigators, questioning their integrity while categorically ruling out the possibility of a presidential interview with the special counsel. Trump and Rudy Giuliani used Twitter and television interviews to deliver broadsides against special counsel Robert Mueller and federal prosecutors in New York. Giuliani said he was “disgusted” by the tactics used by Mueller in his probe into Russian election interference, including in securing guilty pleas from former national security adviser Michael Flynn on a charge of lying to federal investigators.

Trump, Giuliani said, would not submit to an interview by Mueller’s team.

“They’re a joke,” Giuliani told Fox News Sunday. “Over my dead body, but, you know, I could be dead.”

The special counsel, who is investigating possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, has continued to request an interview with the president. Last month, the White House sent written answers in response to questions about possible collusion. The White House has resisted answering questions on possible obstruction of justice.

If the president officially refuses an interview request, the special counsel’s team could theoretically seek to subpoena him to compel his testimony.