Mueller to interview former spokesman of Trump legal team in Russia probe

A former spokesman of President ‘s legal team reportedly plans to tell Special Counsel Robert Mueller that White House communications director Hope Hicks may have considered obstructing justice in relation to the probe. The New York Times report of this suggests these were not truthful statements. But Trump ultimately rejected the resignation after advisers warned against it in the wake of Comey’s firing.

The statement has become a focus of the inquiry by Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Trump called the matter “one of the biggest stories in a long time“, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions has promised to “leave no stone unturned” in an investigation to determine how the messages, sent on bureau-issued phones, were not collected by the FBI’s retention software.

All of which might be enough to persuade Trump to fire Rosenstein, whom the president has regularly criticized. And it’s not just the special counsel who needs protection. A day later, Trump told Russian officials in a White House meeting he had relieved himself of “great pressure”, describing Comey as “crazy, a real nut job”.

While it is tempting to view this recent development as slam-dunk evidence of obstruction of justice, it can not be analyzed in a vacuum.

According to sources, the special counsel has asked other witnesses about whether Trump has tried to obstruct justice by, for instance, firing Comey, who previously headed the Russian Federation investigation as FBI Director.

But Republicans have urged Trump not to hastily dismiss Rosenstein due to the political optics and due process, according to The Hill.

Mark Corallo (far left), followed by President Trump’s personal attorney Marc Kasowitz (center) at the to National Press Club in Washington. But his lawyers subsequently said discussions with Mueller’s team are still ongoing about the terms of any interview of Trump and what topics would be discussed. If Trump refuses an interview request, Mueller’s team could respond with a grand jury subpoena, which Trump’s team couldn’t avoid. Rosenstein was interviewed last summer. You can’t encourage members of Congress to have dubious claims and memos in an obvious attempt to undermine an investigation that might result in criminal allegations against you and/or your associates.

Former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his time with the campaign.

Corallo reportedly told colleagues that he informed Trump and Hicks that the false statement would backfire because documents showing the true goal of the meeting would leak. Sessions rejected the suggestion that Papadopoulos should help orchestrate a meeting between the two. Former campaign manager Paul Manafort and aide Richard Gates have pleaded not guilty to charges that include money laundering. They have pleaded not guilty.