Trump answers Mueller questions in writing
Compromise avoids sit-down interview
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has provided the special counsel’s office with written answers to questions about his knowledge of Russian interference in the 2016 election, his lawyers said Tuesday, marking the first time Trump has directly cooperated with the investigation.
The step is a milestone in a monthslong negotiation between Trump’s attorneys and special counsel Robert Mueller’s team over whether and when the president would sit for an interview. It represents the first time the president is known to have described his knowledge of key moments under scrutiny by prosecutors. If Mueller finds the answers satisfactory, it may also help stave off a potential subpoena fight over Trump’s testimony.
The compromise, nearly a year in the making, offers some benefit to both sides. Trump avoids, at least for now, a potentially risky and unpredictable sit-down with prosecutors, while Mueller secures a set of on-therecord statements whose accuracy the president and his lawyers will be expected to stand by for the duration of the investigation.
“The questions presented dealt with issues regarding the Russia-related topics of the inquiry. The president responded in writing,” attorney Jay Sekulow said in a statement. Sekulow said the legal team would not release copies of the questions and answers or discuss correspondence with the special counsel’s office.
Investigators months ago presented Trump’s legal team with dozens of questions for the president related to whether his campaign coordinated with the Kremlin to tip the 2016 election and whether he sought to criminally obstruct the Russia probe by actions including the firing of former FBI director James Comey.
Mueller’s office agreed to accept written responses about potential Russian collusion and tabled, for now, obstruction-related inquiries.