Summary: Donald Trump’s attorney allegedly told Jeff Sessions not to recuse himself from the federal investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election.
President Donald Trump may have obstructed justice in the FBI probe into his ties with Russia. According to the New York Times, Trump told Attorney General Jeff Sessions in March not to recuse himself from the Department of Justice’s probe, even though there was public pressure for the former Alabama senator to do so.
The FBI was investigating whether Russia had helped Trump win the 2016 presidential election. The probe would’ve been overseen by Sessions, who had helped the Trump campaign, but he chose to recuse himself because of a perceived conflict of interest.
According to the New York times, White House counsel Donald F. McGahn II demanded Sessions not to recuse himself, based on Trump’s order; and he allegedly lobbied to have Sessions remain in charge of the inquiry. Despite his efforts, McGahn was unsuccessful, and Trump reportedly erupted in anger, stating that he needed Sessions to protect him.
Two anonymous sources told the publication that Trump thought Sessions would protect him in the probe the way he believed Eric Holder Jr. had protected Barack Obama and Robert F. Kennedy had protected John F. Kennedy.
Trump’s attempted interference was uncovered by FBI special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, a seasoned attorney and investigator who was assigned to lead this investigation.
The New York Times also reported that Trump had tried to influence former FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the Russia investigation before he was inexplicably fired by Trump. According to the newspaper, Trump had written a letter to Comey but had never sent it. In the letter, he had asked Comey to publicly deny Trump was being investigated.
Additionally, sources said that four days before Comey was fired an aide for Sessions asked a congressional staff member if there was any damaging information about the FBI director.
Trump’s lawyers have said that the president is cooperating with Mueller’s investigation, which so far has issued indictments for members of Trump’s inner circle such as Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn, and Rick Gates.
Trump’s lawyers said that they believe Trump will be exonerated. According to the New York Times, the two issues he must likely faces is obstruction of justice and collussion between his campaign and Russia. Experts told the publication that it is unclear whether or not the evidence collected so far is enough for an official charge.
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