Donald Trump is now under investigation for obstruction of justice by special counsel Robert Mueller, according to the Washington Post.
ADVERTISEMENTDonald Trump is now under investigation for obstruction of justice by special counsel Robert Mueller, according to the Washington Post.
Reports: Mueller probe now includes investigation of Trump for obstruction of justice https://t.co/wLxSdsGumdpic.twitter.com/kugBxnaNxR
— POLITICO (@politico) June 15, 2017
Mueller is investigating allegations that Russia interfered in the election and possibly colluded with the Trump campaign.
Last week the former FBI Director James Comey told Congress that he believes he was fired by Trump to undermine the agency’s Russia probe.
The Washington Post said it interviewed five intelligence officials who wish to remain anonymous
A spokesman for Trump’s legal team responded by saying “The FBI leak of information regarding the President is outrageous, inexcusable and illegal.”
Several legal experts told Reuters news agency that Comey’s testimony last week that Trump expected loyalty and told Comey he hoped he could drop an investigation of a former top aide could bolster obstruction of justice allegations against Trump.
Comey would not say in his testimony last week whether he thought the president sought to obstruct justice, but added it would be up to special counsel Mueller “to sort that out.”
After Comey’s testimony, Trump said he had been vindicated because his former FBI director confirmed telling Trump on three occasions that he was not under investigation.
While a sitting president is unlikely to face criminal prosecution, obstruction of justice could form the basis for impeachment.
Any such step would face a steep hurdle as it would require approval by the U.S. House of Representatives, which is controlled by Trump’s fellow Republicans.