Trump aides may be charged over Russian links

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s administration was last night poised for potentially explosive developments in the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the US election.

The special prosecutor appointed to investigate whether Russia-backed agents sought to sway the November 2016 presidential vote is set to bring his first charges as early as today. It could mean a US figure accused of liaising with Russian organisations will be taken into custody and charged. It is not known against whom the indictment may be targeted.

But if anyone linked with Mr Trump is to face criminal proceedings, it could be disastrous for the billionaire’s White House administration. Yesterday, Mr Trump took to Twitter to accuse the Democrats of using ‘this terrible (and bad for our country) Witch Hunt for evil politics’.

Former FBI director Robert Mueller was appointed in May to lead the investigation. According to US media reports, a grand jury in Washington has approved the first charges to result from the ongoing probe.

It has previously emerged the special prosecutor was scrutinising Mr Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Others said to be under examination include the president’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn.