Tag: Robert Mueller

Rosenstein: Special counsel Mueller can investigate any crimes he uncovers in Russia probe

The following article by Kelsey Snell and John Wagner was posted on the Washington Post website August 6, 2017:

Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein said Sunday that the expanding investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election is continuing apace, even as President Trump dismissed the probe as “a total fabrication.”

Rosenstein said special counsel Robert S. Mueller III can investigate any crimes that he might discover within the scope of his probe, but the deputy attorney general would not discuss which individuals are the subject of their inquiry. The interview comes days after Trump said he believes it would be inappropriate for Mueller to dig into Trump family finances.

“The special counsel is subject to the rules and regulations of the Department of Justice, and we don’t engage in fishing expeditions,” Rosenstein said when asked about the probe in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.” Continue reading “Rosenstein: Special counsel Mueller can investigate any crimes he uncovers in Russia probe”

PowerPost Senators unveil two proposals to protect Mueller’s Russia probe

The following article by Karoun Demirjian was posted on the Washington Post website August 3, 2017:

Two bipartisan pairs of senators unveiled legislation Thursday to prevent President Trump from firing special counsel Robert S. Mueller III without cause — or at least a reason good enough to convince a panel of federal judges.

Senators have raised concerns that the president might try to rearrange his administration to get rid of Mueller, who is spearheading a probe of Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election and any possible collusion between the Kremlin and members of the Trump campaign and transition teams. Continue reading “PowerPost Senators unveil two proposals to protect Mueller’s Russia probe”

Special Counsel Mueller using grand jury in federal court in Washington as part of Russia investigation

The following article by Carol d. Leonnig, Sari Horwitz and Matt Zapotosky was posted on the Washington Post website August 3, 2017:

Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III began using a grand jury in federal court in Washington several weeks ago as part of his investigation of possible coordination between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign, according to two people familiar with the inquiry.

The development is a sign that investigators continue to aggressively gather evidence in the case, and that Mueller is taking full control of a probe that predated him. Continue reading “Special Counsel Mueller using grand jury in federal court in Washington as part of Russia investigation”

Trump team seeks to control, block Mueller’s Russia investigation

The following article by Carol D. Leonnig, Ashley Parker, Rosalind S. Helderman and Tom Hamburger was posted on the Washington Post website July 20, 2017:

President Trump has asked his advisers about his power to pardon aides, family members and even himself in connection with the Russia probe, according to a person familiar with the effort. (Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post)

Some of President Trump’s lawyers are exploring ways to limit or undercut special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s Russia investigation, building a case against what they allege are his conflicts of interest and discussing the president’s authority to grant pardons, according to people familiar with the effort.

Trump has asked his advisers about his power to pardon aides, family members and even himself in connection with the probe, according to one of those people. A second person said Trump’s lawyers have been discussing the president’s pardoning powers among themselves.

Trump’s legal team declined to comment on the issue. But one adviser said the president has simply expressed a curiosity in understanding the reach of his pardoning authority, as well as the limits of Mueller’s investigation.

“This is not in the context of, ‘I can’t wait to pardon myself,” a close adviser said. Continue reading “Trump team seeks to control, block Mueller’s Russia investigation”

Trump set a red line for Robert Mueller. And now Mueller has reportedly crossed it.

The following article by Aaron Blake was posted on the Washington Post website July 20, 2017:

Robert Mueller, FBI director at the time, testifies on Capitol Hill on June 13, 2012. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Bloomberg News is reporting that the Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller is zeroing in on President Trump’s business transactions.

The report quoted an anonymous source as saying that Trump’s financial ties to Russia are the focus: “FBI investigators and others are looking at Russian purchases of apartments in Trump buildings, Trump’s involvement in a controversial SoHo development with Russian associates, the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow and Trump’s sale of a Florida mansion to a Russian oligarch in 2008.” The Washington Post has not independently confirmed Bloomberg’s report.

Somebody is basically daring Trump to try to fire Mueller. Continue reading “Trump set a red line for Robert Mueller. And now Mueller has reportedly crossed it.”

Trump shows disdain for rule of law with new attacks on Sessions, Rosenstein, Mueller

The following article by James Hohmann with Breanne Deppisch and Joanie Greve was posted on the Washington Post website July 20, 2017:

THE BIG IDEA: President Trump laced into the attorney general, deputy attorney general, acting FBI director, former FBI director and the special counsel in an interview yesterday with the New York Times that, even by Trump standards, is remarkable.

Donald Trump listens during a roundtable at the White House. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

The transcript of the 50-minute session in the Oval Office oozes with brooding grievance and reflects the degree to which he has adopted a bunker mentality. It also underscores how much Robert Mueller’s escalating investigation bothers and preoccupies the president six months into his term.

Perhaps most importantly, Trump’s comments raise a host of new questions about his respect for the independence of the Justice Department, FBI and special counsel.

The president asserted his prerogative to order an FBI director to end any investigation for any reason at any time. He denied telling James Comey that he “hoped” the FBI could lay off its investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. “I didn’t say anything,” Trump said. “But … even if I did, that’s not — other people go a step further. I could have ended that whole thing just by saying — they say it can’t be obstruction because you can say: ‘It’s ended. It’s over. Period.’” (He didn’t specify who he meant by “they.”) Continue reading “Trump shows disdain for rule of law with new attacks on Sessions, Rosenstein, Mueller”

Prospect of Trump firing Mueller keeps becoming more untenable

The following article by James Hohmann with Breanne Deppisch and Joanie Greve was posted on the Washington Post website June 16, 2017:

THE BIG IDEA: If Donald Trump thought he could intimidate Bob Mueller, he thought wrong.

Robert S. Mueller III in 2012. Credit J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

A person who spoke with Trump on Tuesday told the New York Times that the president was pleased by the intentional ambiguity of his position on firing Robert S. Mueller as special counsel, “and thinks the possibility of being fired will focus the veteran prosecutor on delivering what the president desires most: a blanket public exoneration.”

If the president truly believes this, he fundamentally misunderstands what motivates the former FBI director – who has stood up to previous administrations and never swayed under political pressure. Continue reading “Prospect of Trump firing Mueller keeps becoming more untenable”

Special counsel is investigating Jared Kushner’s business dealings

The following article by Sari Horwit,Matt Zapotosky and Adam Entous was posted on the Washington Post website June 15, 2017:

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post

Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III is investigating the finances and business dealings of Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, as part of the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

FBI agents and federal prosecutors have also been examining the financial dealings of other Trump associates, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Carter Page, who was listed as a foreign-policy adviser for the campaign. Continue reading “Special counsel is investigating Jared Kushner’s business dealings”

Mueller Seeks to Talk to Intelligence Officials, Hinting at Inquiry of Trump

The following article by Michael S. Schmidt and Matt Apuzzo was posted on the New York Times website June 14, 2017:

Robert S. Mueller III in 2012. Credit J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel examining Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election, has requested interviews with three high-ranking current or former intelligence officials, the latest indication that he will investigate whether President Trump obstructed justice, a person briefed on the investigation said on Wednesday.

Mr. Mueller wants to question Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence; Adm. Michael S. Rogers, the head of the National Security Agency; and Richard Ledgett, the former N.S.A. deputy director.

None of the men were involved with Mr. Trump’s campaign. But recent news reports have raised questions about whether Mr. Trump requested their help in trying to get James B. Comey, then the F.B.I. director, to end an investigation into the president’s former national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn. Last week, Mr. Coats and Admiral Rogers declined to answer questions before Congress about the matter. Continue reading “Mueller Seeks to Talk to Intelligence Officials, Hinting at Inquiry of Trump”

Trump friend floats possibility of firing special counsel in Russian probe

The following article by John Wagner was posted on the Washington Post website June 13, 2017:

President Trump is calling it a “witch hunt,” lawmakers are applauding it and the Justice Department says it’s in the “public interest,” but what can the newly appointed special prosecutor really do and can he still be fired? Here are four things to know. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

A friend of Donald Trump on Monday raised the politically explosive possibility that the president could take action to fire Robert S. Mueller III, the recently appointed special counsel tasked with looking into Russian meddling in last year’s election and potential collusion with the Trump campaign.

“I think he’s considering perhaps terminating the special counsel,” Christopher Ruddy said during an appearance on PBS’s “NewsHour.”  “I think he’s weighing that option.” Continue reading “Trump friend floats possibility of firing special counsel in Russian probe”