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Trump "looking forward" to being interviewed in Russia collusion probe

Trump "looking forward" to being interviewed in Russia collusion probe

Jan 25, 2018
01:27 pm

What's the story

US President Donald Trump seems to have ended months-long speculations about whether he would agree to be interviewed in the Russian collusion probe. He says he's "looking forward" to it and wants to get it done ASAP. Trump's lawyers are coordinating with Robert Mueller's team, who's leading the investigation, about how the interview should happen. But Trump is not known for his consistency.

Probe

The progress till now: Four criminally charged in the investigation

Till now, four people have been criminally charged for their association to alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections. Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign advisor George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about their roles and deeds. Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort has been charged on 12 counts, including conspiring to launder money, along with his business associate Rick Gates.

Trump

Meanwhile, Trump has moved from "will-do" to "probably-won't-do" to "will-do"

Regarding investigation of the president, he has been giving out mixed signals. Last June, Trump had said he would be willing to talk to Mueller under oath, but recently, he had dismissed possibility of an interview, insisting there's been no collusion. Mueller reportedly also wants to question him about alleged obstruction of justice regarding the firing of former FBI Director James Comey and Flynn.

Twitter Post

The ABC correspondent who questioned Trump

Conditions

Grand jury for Trump unlikely

Trump's lawyers have clarified he is willing to be interviewed, but there are no discussions on a grand jury. The format is being worked out, with reports saying it will be hybrid: some questions face-to-face and others in writing. Incidentally, apart from location and time, Trump's and Mueller's teams are also negotiating on topics. Needless to say, the interview will be risky for Trump.

Status

Attorney general becomes first Trump cabinet member to be questioned

Last week, America's top prosecutor, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, was questioned for hours. Sessions, the first Trump cabinet member to be questioned, had urged Comey's firing. Reports have it that Mueller also wants to interview former advisor Steve Bannon, who called Comey's firing the biggest mistake in "modern political history." Asked if Mueller will be fair, Trump said, "We are going to find out."