In a first, US Attorney General questioned in Russia investigation
After former chief strategist Steve Bannon, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions was interviewed by Robert Mueller as part of the investigation into Russia's involvement in the 2016 presidential elections. The meeting lasted several hours and took place last week, as reported first by The New York Times. The US Attorney General is the first member of Trump's cabinet to be questioned in the investigation.
Who is Robert Mueller?
In May 2017, after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, Robert Mueller was appointed as special counsel in the Russia probe. Mueller and his team of 17 lawyers are investigating Russia's alleged involvement in 2016 US Presidential Elections.
Mueller's investigation has led to filing of several charges
Mueller's investigation has led to charges against Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn, former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and Manafort's aide Rick Gates. Flynn was charged for lying to the FBI, while Manafort and Gates were charged with conspiracy and money laundering. Another former campaign advisor, George Papadoupoulos, also pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and possessing knowledge of hacked Democrat emails.
Seventeen US intelligence agencies have alleged Russia's involvement
So far, seventeen US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia sought to aid Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Elections, and influenced his victory. These allegations, however, have not been proved and completely dismissed by President Trump.
Sessions has long been a flashpoint in the investigation
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has long been a flashpoint in the Russia probe. Sessions was intimately involved with the firing of FBI director James Comey who previously headed the investigation. In March 2017, he announced that he would rescue himself from the Russia investigation and revealed that he had had two undisclosed meetings with the Russian ambassador to the US during the presidential campaign.
Only a handful of un-interviewed, suspected individuals remain
With the Steve Bannon and Sessions interview concluded, only a handful of Trump advisers and administrators who served in the campaign remain to be interviewed. They include Vice President Mike Pence, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and two others. Mueller's investigation's end might be close.
