Trump ‘confident’ over Mueller probe
Former FBI chief to investigate alleged Russian interference in 2016 election
WASHINGTON — President of Mueller’s appointment. Donald Trump said on “I look forward to this matter Wednesday that a federal concluding quickly,” investigation into his campaign’s Trump said. relations with Russia Deputy Attorney General will find “no collusion”, in Rod Rosenstein said in a quick response to the Justice statement on Wednesday: Department appointment of “Considering the unique circumstance former FBI chief Robert of this matter, Mueller as special counsel to however, I determined that a oversee the probe. special counsel is necessary in
“As I have stated many order for the American people times, a thorough investigation to have full confidence in will confirm what we the outcome. already know — there was no “My decision is not a finding collusion between my campaign that crimes have been committed and any foreign entity,” or that any prosecution Trump said in a statement is warranted,” said Rosenstein, which made no specific mention who had been overseeing the Russia probe following the recusal of Attorney General Jeff Sessions due to his failure to disclose a meeting with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
Democratic lawmakers have been clamoring for Rosenstein to appoint a special prosecutor in the wake of reports on Tuesday that fired FBI director James Comey penned a memo documenting a request from Trump that he “let go” of the investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
According to an appointment order released by the Justice Department, Mueller, who served as FBI director between September 2001 and September 2013, will have the authority to investigate whether the Russian government colluded with individuals associated with Trump’s campaign and to prosecute federal crimes uncovered in the probe.
Also on Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee issued requests to both the White House and the FBI for all the records about the conversations between Comey and Trump. Trump had previously suggested that there may be tapes of his talks with Comey in the White House one day after Flynn resigned over the scandal in February.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee set a hearing date for May 24 over Comey’s memo, asking him to testify.
The Senate Intelligence Committee also sent a request on Wednesday to Comey, asking him to testify in a public hearing and to meet with its members in a closed-door briefing.
The Senate panel also sent a letter to acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe requesting “any notes or memorandum” prepared by Comey tied to talks he had with White House or Justice Department officialsabouttheFBI’sprobeinto Flynn’s ties with Russia.
Republican Senator John McCain likened the unfolding scandal around Comey’s memo to Watergate which led to the impeachment of president Richard Nixon in 1974, while House Speaker Paul Ryan called for patience, noting that lawmakers “need the facts” before drawing any conclusions.
Despite the White House denial, the latest allegation feeds the flames that have been grilling Trump since his abrupt firing of Comey, distracting his agenda while plunging his administration into a snowballing credibility crisis.