Reports: Special counsel to investigate Trump over obstruction of justice
What's the story
Special counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly investigating US President Donald Trump over possible obstruction of justice, an impeachable offense. Senior US intelligence officials will reportedly be interviewed on whether Trump tried to get an investigation into his fired national security adviser Michael Flynn dropped. Mueller is leading an investigation into Russia's alleged election meddling and Moscow's links to the Trump campaign.
Statement
Reports: Trump asked Coats to get FBI to back off
Last week Coats and Rogers had both declined to answer questions regarding their conversations with Trump to a Senate panel. Both men said they were never pressured to interfere in investigations into Russia. However, the Washington Post reported that Coats had told his colleagues in March that Trump had asked him to try getting the FBI to back off from its investigation.
Important development
Mueller's investigation to now look into Trump's own actions
The Washington Post reported that Mueller's decision to investigate Trump's own actions are a major point in the probe, which until now has focused on the Russia angle. The newspaper quoted unnamed officials as saying Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats, National Security Agency (NSA) chief Mike Rogers and former NSA Deputy Director Richard Ledgett, have agreed to be interviewed by investigators.
Details
Obstruction of justice probe began after Comey's dismissal
The obstruction of justice investigation reportedly began days after Trump fired Comey on May 9. Before the dismissal, Trump had looked for and received assurances from Comey that he wasn't personally being investigated. However, in a testimony before Congress last week, Comey suggested that Trump attempted to get him to end an investigation into his former National Security Advisor Flynn's alleged links to Russia.
Quote
Trump's legal team calls latest leaks 'outrageous and inexcusable'
Trump and his team have repeatedly rejected allegations of colluding with the Russian government. So far, Trump hasn't commented on the latest media reports. Trump's legal team responded by saying: "The FBI leak of information regarding the president is outrageous, inexcusable and illegal."