Mueller remains focused on Trump in the Russia investigation, but does not consider him a 'criminal target'
- Special counsel Robert Mueller remains focused on President Donald Trump as part of the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US election, but not does consider Trump a "criminal target," The Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the discussions.
- Mueller is said to have relayed that information during negotiations with Trump's attorneys, who are deciding whether or not to have the president sit down with Mueller for an interview.
- News of Trump's current disposition in Mueller's case has apparently received mixed reactions among Trump's associates, who are divided about how much he should cooperate with Mueller and his investigative team.
Special counsel Robert Mueller remains focused on President Donald Trump as part of the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US election, but does not consider Trump a "criminal target," The Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the discussions.
Mueller reportedly shared that information with Trump's attorneys last month, during negotiations with the president's legal team for a possible interview with Mueller's investigative team.
The newspaper said the special counsel is also preparing a report on his current findings in the probe, which are expected to include details about Trump's actions as president and possible obstruction of justice.
The matter of obstruction has been on Mueller's radar since last year, after Trump fired FBI director James Comey - and following reports of Trump's alleged discussions with Comey about his national-security adviser, Michael Flynn, who was fired in February 2017 and has since pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
News of Trump's current disposition in Mueller's probe has apparently received mixed reactions among the president's associates, who are divided about how much Trump should cooperate with Mueller's investigators.
Trump has stated publicly on several occasions that he is open to talking to Mueller under oath.
The president, however, has been at odds with his own legal team, some of whom have privately bristled at their client's unwillingness to follow their advice in matters related to the Russia probe. Trump's lead counsel, John Dowd, quit Trump's legal team in March.