Special counsel says Trump not currently a criminal target

Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team of prosecutors has informed President Donald Trump’s attorneys the president is not currently considered a criminal target in the Russia investigation, according to a person familiar with the conversation.

The person, who was not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations and demanded anonymity, said the president is considered a subject of Mueller’s probe — not a target. A subject is typically someone whose conduct is of interest to investigators but prosecutors are not certain they’ve gathered enough evidence to bring charges.

The designation could change at any time, though. The development was first reported by The Washington Post. Trump’s designation as a

came up as prosecutors and the president’s

team have been negotiating the terms of an interview with him. The president has said he wants to

with Mueller’s team, but his lawyers have not

committed to allowing him to be questioned.

Trump attorney Jay Sekulow declined to confirm or discuss the conversations with Mueller.

“We do not discuss real or alleged conversations

our legal team and Office of Special Counsel,” Sekulow said.

White House lawyer Ty Cobb also declined to comment. The Justice Department

ic a lly treats people involved in investigations either witnesses, subjects targets. Mueller’s determination that Trump is a subject suggests he’s more piv- otal to the investigation than a mere witness, a designation for someone who has observed events of interest to agents and prosecutors.

“The government will say you’re a subject trending to witness or you’re a subject trending toward target,” said Sharon McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan.