Why Donald Trump could be interviewed in Russia probe

Former FBI Director James Comey's testimony Thursday to the Senate Intelligence Committee could force Robert Mueller, the special counsel leading an investigation into Russian election meddling, to question President Trump directly about his encounters with Comey.

Mueller's office, the White House and Trump's private lawyer all remained silent Thursday evening about the possibility that the special counsel could soon require the president to submit for an interview. But legal experts suggest Comey's testimony exposed too many inconsistencies with the president's public statements for Trump to avoid an interview with Mueller in the coming months.

"We will decline to comment," Mueller's spokesman told the Washington Examiner when asked Thursday whether his office plans to question Trump.

"I would refer you to [Trump's outside counsel] Marc Kasowitz," a White House official said. And a spokesman for Kasowitz — who defended Trump after Comey's testimony on Thursday — did not return a request for comment.

"I can't imagine that the special counsel would not only want to, but will interview President Trump," said Mark Zaid, a national security attorney. "Such an interview will be imperative to determine the extent to which any obstruction charge is viable, as well as Trump's individual involvement with any possible Russian collusion."