Special Counsel Mueller reportedly seeks Q&A with Donald Trump
At a press conference in June   a reporter asked  Donald Trump  whether  he  ’ d be willing to answer questions about the Russia scandal under oath . “ One hundred percent  ” the president responded . As we discussed last week   Trump ’ s position on this has evolved . Asked at a press conference at Camp David whether he ’ s still committed to speaking with Mueller   Trump hedged   refusing to answer the question directly . A few days later   at an event alongside the prime minister of Norway   Trump faced a similar question . The Republican ’ s response was long   meandering   and not altogether coherent   but he concluded that it “ seems unlikely ” that he ’ d answer the special counsel ’ s questions . Close video Trump lawyers change defense on collusion and obstruction Rachel Maddow points out that  Donald Trump ’ s lawyers ’ arguments about Trump ’ s legal liability in the Russia scandal  have changed from denying Trump ’ s actions to excusing  them  as not illegal . Also noted is that Mike Pence ’ s lies about Mike Flynn need a new share tweet email save Embed Special counsel Robert S . Mueller III is seeking to question President Trump in the coming weeks about his decisions to oust national security adviser Michael Flynn and FBI Director James B . Comey   according to two people familiar with his plans . Mueller ’ s interest in the events that led Trump to push out Flynn and Comey indicates that his investigation is intensifying its focus on possible efforts by the president or others to obstruct or blunt the special counsel ’ s probe . If today ’ s reporting from the Washington Post is any indication    Trump  may need to change  his  posture once more . This dovetails with a story that ’ s been brewing of late . NBC News reported two weeks ago   for example   that the logistics and scope of an interview between the special counsel ’ s team and  Trump  were the subject of discussion among the relevant lawyers . Bloomberg Politics reported soon after that talks between Trump ’ s legal team and Mueller ’ s team are “ expected to continue … despite comments from  Trump  suggesting an interview is unlikely .” With this in mind   the Post added that the president ’ s attorneys “ have crafted some negotiating terms for the president ’ s interview with Mueller ’ s team   one that could be presented to the special counsel as soon as next week   according to the two people .” As for the nature of the conversation   the Post ’ s article went on to say that Trump   under the current plan   would like to answer some questions in an in - person interview   while answering others in writing   which is also consistent with NBC News ’ recent reporting . ( Why the president would find it necessary to turn part of the Q & A into a take - home exam is unclear .) It ’ s the subject of interest   however   that continues to stand out : if the special counsel is focused specifically on possible obstruction of justice   it suggests the president may be facing legal jeopardy . In November   Trump said   “ As far as I ’ m concerned   I haven ’ t been told that we ’ re under investigation   I ’ m not under investigation .” It may be a good idea to revisit that .
At a press conference in June   a reporter asked  [TGT]whether  he  ’ d be willing to answer questions about the Russia scandal under oath . “ One hundred percent  ” the president responded . As we discussed last week   [TGT] ’ s position on this has evolved . Asked at a press conference at Camp David whether he ’ s still committed to speaking with [TGT] hedged   refusing to answer the question directly . A few days later   at an event alongside the prime minister of Norway   [TGT] faced a similar question . The Republican ’ s response was long   meandering   and not altogether coherent   but he concluded that it “ seems unlikely ” that he ’ d answer the special counsel ’ s questions . Close video [TGT] lawyers change defense on collusion and obstruction Rachel Maddow points out that  [TGT] ’ s lawyers ’ arguments about [TGT] ’ s legal liability in the Russia scandal  have changed from denying [TGT] ’ s actions to excusing  them  as not illegal . Also noted is that Mike Pence ’ s lies about Mike Flynn need a new share tweet email save Embed Special counsel Robert S . Mueller III is seeking to question [TGT] in the coming weeks about his decisions to oust national security adviser Michael Flynn and FBI Director James B . Comey   according to two people familiar with his plans . Mueller ’ s interest in the events that led [TGT] to push out Flynn and Comey indicates that his investigation is intensifying its focus on possible efforts by the president or others to obstruct or blunt the special counsel ’ s probe . If today ’ s reporting from the Washington Post is any indication    [TGT]may need to change  [TGT]  posture once more . This dovetails with a story that ’ s been brewing of late . NBC News reported two weeks ago   for example   that the logistics and scope of an interview between the special counsel ’ s team and  [TGT]were the subject of discussion among the relevant lawyers . Bloomberg Politics reported soon after that talks between [TGT] ’ s legal team and Mueller ’ s team are “ expected to continue … despite comments from  Trump  suggesting an interview is unlikely .” With this in mind   the Post added that the president ’ s attorneys “ have crafted some negotiating terms for the president ’ s interview with Mueller ’ s team   one that could be presented to the special counsel as soon as next week   according to the two people .” As for the nature of the conversation   the Post ’ s article went on to say that [TGT]   under the current plan   would like to answer some questions in an in - person interview   while answering others in writing   which is also consistent with NBC News ’ recent reporting . ( Why the president would find it necessary to turn part of the Q & A into a take - home exam is unclear .) It ’ s the subject of interest   however   that continues to stand out : if the special counsel is focused specifically on possible obstruction of justice   it suggests the president may be facing legal jeopardy . In November   [TGT] said   “ As far as [TGT] ’ m concerned   I haven ’ t been told that we ’ re under investigation   I ’ m not under investigation .” It may be a good idea to revisit that .