Special counsel seeks documents related to Trump
Records on his Oval Office meeting with Russian diplomats among those sought.
WASHINGTON — Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III has sought a variety of documents related to President Trump’s tenure in the White House, the president’s attorney, John Dowd, has confirmed.
The inquiry from Mueller, the former FBI director who is heading the investigation of Russian election meddling and the activities of Trump, his campaign and associates, suggests the investigation could be broadening and reaching a new phase. Dowd, however, said in an interview that the requests were routine and being handled without incident.
“There’s nothing remarkable or unusual about his requests, and Ty is responding to them in due course,” Dowd said, referring to Ty Cobb, another attorney hired by Trump to deal with the special counsel investigation.
“It’s not like something’s about to happen,” Dowd said. “It’s just a routine inquiry by Bob.”
The document requests were first reported Wednesday by the New York Times, which said Mueller had asked for materials related to 13 areas, including an Oval Office meeting Trump had with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in May — one day after firing James B. Comey as FBI director.
In that meeting, Trump reportedly told Lavrov and Russia’s then-ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, that firing Comey had relieved “great pressure” on Trump related to the Russia investigation.
Mueller also reportedly has asked for records relating to the White House response to questions about a meeting last year in Trump Tower involving Donald Trump Jr. and several Russians. Emails revealed that Trump Jr. was told before the meeting that the Russian government had damaging information about Hillary Clinton.
The New York Times also reported that Mueller is seeking documents related to Trump’s ouster of Michael Flynn as his national security advisor. Flynn’s contacts with Russians are also part of the investigation.
Dowd said the White House is cooperating with Mueller completely.
“We have said for now two months that we will cooperate with Bob,” Dowd said. “He makes requests. We respond to them and we have a very good relationship with him, and I don’t think it would be right for me to describe the contents.”
Mueller, appointed special counsel in May, has been conducting a wide-ranging investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. It also includes an examination of Trump’s firing of Comey.
The investigation seems to be aggressive; FBI agents in July raided the home of Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman.
Trump has expressed frustration with the investigation and warned in an interview in July that Mueller would be crossing a red line if the inquiry delved into his finances.
A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment.