An expanding federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election is placing President Trump in its crosshairs while the Trump camp and allies cry foul over what may be yet another leak.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into possible obstruction of justice. That would mark a turn for the yearlong investigation, as former FBI Director James Comey says he repeatedly told Trump that he was not the subject of the probe. That apparently changed after Trump fired Comey May 9, officials say.
Critics of the president, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said they were not surprised. Not only did Comey assert during his open testimony last week that Trump fired him because of the FBI's investigation into Russia, but Trump himself also admitted during an interview on NBC that "this Russia thing" was part of the reason why he let Comey go.
Trump's legal team sent out a rapid response to the report, condemning an apparent "FBI leak" but didn't go as far as to claim it was false. "The FBI leak of information regarding the President is outrageous, inexcusable and illegal," said Mark Corallo, a spokesman for Trump's attorney Marc Kasowitz.
Leaks have become a sensitive issue for the Trump, leading to a number of embarrassing news reports that put his administration on defense. Trump's supporters were quick to point out the issue with Mueller's team now seemingly springing leaks. Conservative commentator Laura Ingraham, for example, tweeted that this is "[a]nother sign that this investigation has (at the very least) the appearance of taint."
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01.18.2025