Trump accuses Mueller team of meddling in midterms

WASHINGTON — In language that echoed that of his accusers and critics, President Donald Trump alleged on Twitter that special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigative team was “MEDDLING” in the upcoming midterm elections and blamed Democrats for “Collusion.”

The tweet Tuesday was the latest example of the president co- opting the terminology of his accusers in an effort to tarnish political enemies.

It came as Mueller investigates allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and whether any Trump campaign aides colluded with the Kremlin to tip the outcome in the Republican candidate’s favor.

Trump has repeatedly referred to Mueller’s team as “13 angry Democrats,” although Mueller is a Republican.

On Tuesday, Trump tweeted: “The 13 Angry Democrats ( plus people who worked 8 years for Obama) working on the rigged Russia Witch Hunt, will be MEDDLING with the mid- term elections, especially now that Republicans ( stay tough!) are taking the lead in Polls. There was no Collusion, except by the Democrats.”

The tweet appeared to be a reference to the fact that multiple lawyers on Mueller’s team, before signing on for the assignment, contributed money to Democratic candidates, including Hillary Clinton, Trump’s opponent in the presidential election.