Trump says FBI are investigating him over Russia’s link to election
Frustrated US president tweets he is the subject of a witch hunt
President Donald Trump confirmed yesterday that he was under investigation and appeared to take aim at a senior Justice Department official, in a tweet that seemed to encapsulate his frustration with the ongoing focus on Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election.
“I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt,” the president wrote in his tweet.
In another tweet earlier in the day, Trump wrotes: “After 7 months of investigations & committee hearings about my `collusion with the Russians,’ nobody has been able to show any proof. Sad!”
The Trump tweets came after the lead lawyer for his transition team warned organisation officials to preserve all records and other materials related to the Russia inquiry.
Trump’s tweet that he is being investigated “by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director” may refer to deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein in a memo to Trump raised concerns over FBI Director James Comey. Trump cited the memo in firing Comey.
It was Rosenstein who appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.
Also unclear was whether the president’s comment confirming he was under investigation was based on direct knowledge or media reports that Mr Mueller is examining whether the president obstructed justice by firing Mr Comey last month. The White House has directed questions to outside legal counsel, which has not responded.
Mr Trump is under increasing pressure on the Russia probe. The order by the general counsel for his transition team casts a wide net on documents that could shed light on ties between Trump’s presidential campaign and representatives of Russia’s government. The order also covers separate inquiries into several key Trump associates including former national security adviser Michael Flynn, campaign adviser Paul Manafort, foreign policy aide Carter Page and outside adviser Roger Stone.
The transition order came the same day that vice president Mike Pence confirmed that he had hired a private lawyer to represent his interests in the expanding inquiry. Mr Pence headed the Trump transition until inauguration day.
Mr Trump also said yesterday that he would restore some travel and economic restrictions on Cuba that were lifted by Barack Obama’s administration.
He challenged the communist government of Raul Castro to negotiate a better deal for Cubans and Cuban-americans. Announcing the changes during a speech in Miami, Mr Trump said Cuba had secured far too many concessions from the US in the “misguided” deal but “now those days are over”.
He said penalties on Cuba would remain in place until its government releases political prisoners.