Trump mocks fresh scrutiny of conversations with Putin

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump faced uncomfortable new questions on Sunday about his relationship with Vladimir Putin despite his angry dismissal of a report that he has kept top aides in the dark about his private conversations with the Russian leader. Republican lawmakers generally defended the president, saying he had been tougher on Russia than his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, but some had questions. “I want to find out a little bit more about what happened there,” said Senator Ted Cruz, on NBC’s Meet the Press. “I want to learn more than just the allegations in the press.” But he said most Americans outside of Washington were not interested in the subject. The Post reported that Mr Trump has gone to unusual lengths to keep his private talks with Mr Putin secret, withholding details from senior officials and at one point even taking away his own interpreter’s notes. That account followed another in The New York Times that the FBI became so alarmed after Mr Trump fired director James Comey in May 2017 that it opened a counterintelligence investigation into whether he was acting on Russia’s behalf.” Mr Trump, asked in an interview with Fox News late on Saturday, “Are you now or have you ever worked for Russia,” responded: “I think that’s the most insulting thing I’ve ever been asked.” “I’m not keeping anything under wraps, I couldn’t care less. I mean, it’s so ridiculous,” he told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, without directly denying the Post story. Democrats weren’t convinced. “You know, there’s so many questions raised,” said Senator Dick Durbin, a top Democrat, on NBC’s Meet the Press. “Why is he so chummy with Vladimir Putin, this man who is a former KGB agent, never been a friend to the United States, invaded our allies, threatens us around the world, and tries his damndest to undermine our elections, why is this President Trump’s best buddy? I don’t get it.”