Russia meddling:

Trump associate under investigation by FBI.

NEW YORK — In President Trump’s oft-changing world order, Roger Stone, the onetime political consultant and fulltime provocateur, has been one of the few constants — a loyalist and self-proclaimed “dirty trickster” who nurtured the dream of a presidential run by the developer-turned-television-star for 30 years.

But two months into the Trump presidency, Stone, known for his pinstripe suits, the Nixon tattoo spanning his shoulder blades, and decades of outlandish statements, is under investigation for what would be his dirtiest trick — colluding with the Russians to defeat Hillary Clinton and put his friend in the White House.

At a hearing of the House Intelligence Committee Monday, Democrats pressed FBI Director James Comey for information on Stone. Asked by California Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, if he was familiar with Stone, Comey replied tersely, “Generally, yes,” before saying he could not discuss any specific person.

Stone, 64, is the best known of the Trump associates under scrutiny as part of an FBI investigation into Russian interference in the election. John Podesta, the Clinton campaign chairman whose hacked emails were released by WikiLeaks, accused him in October of having advance warning of the hacks, which the intelligence community has concluded were orchestrated by Russia.

“Trust me, it will soon the Podesta’s time in the barrel,” Stone had mused on Twitter before Podesta’s emails were released.

When Schiff asked Comey at the House hearing how Stone could have known that Podesta’s emails were going to be released, the FBI director again refused to answer.

Stone has denied advance knowledge of the hacks or any involvement with the Russians.