Mueller reported to discuss subpoena with Trump lawyers

Image: Robert Mueller
Special counsel Robert Mueller leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in June 2017. Copyright Alex Wong Getty Images file
Copyright Alex Wong Getty Images file
By Alex Johnson with NBC News U.S. News
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

A White House official says all possibilities remain on the table.

ADVERTISEMENT

Special counsel Robert Mueller raised the prospect of subpoenaing President Donald Trump in March to answer questions in his investigation of alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The Post, citing four people familiar with the encounter whom it didn't identify, said Mueller brought up compelling the president to testify before a grand jury in a meeting with Trump's lawyers in early March.

The disclosure follows closely on the publication by The New York Times of almost four dozen questions it said Mueller wants to ask the president. They include questions about Trump's ties to Russia, his firing of FBI Director James Comey and whether he tried to interfere with Mueller's investigation.

NBC News hasn't independently verified the Times or Post reports.

Mueller discussed a subpoena in a meeting in early March, The Post reported — before John Dowd, the lead outside attorney advising Trump on the Russia investigation, stepped down. The Associated Press reported that Dowd confirmed The Post report.

Special counsel Robert Mueller leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in June 2017.
Special counsel Robert Mueller leaves after a closed meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in June 2017.Alex Wong

A source familiar with the proceedings told NBC News on Tuesday night that the president's new legal team, led by former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, is still getting up to speed and that no decisions have been made. A White House official familiar with the proceedings said nothing had been taken off the table.

Trump's personal attorney, Jay Sekulow, said Tuesday night: "We do not discuss conversations we have or have not had with the Office of Special Counsel." Ty Cobb, a member of Trump's White House legal team, had no comment. The Post reported that a spokesman for Mueller declined to comment.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Latest news bulletin | April 23rd – Evening

Latest news bulletin | April 23rd – Midday

Latest news bulletin | April 23rd – Morning