Robert Mueller conveys ‘interest’ in questioning Trump over Russia investigation

ROBERT Mueller has reportedly expressed interest in speaking to US President Donald Trump as part of his investigation into Russia influence on the 2016 US election.

SPECIAL counsel Robert Mueller’s team of investigators has expressed interest in speaking with President Donald Trump as part of a probe into potential co-ordination between Russia and the Trump campaign, a person familiar with the matter said early this morning.

The prospect of an interview with the president has come up in recent discussions between Mueller’s team and Trump lawyers, but no details have been worked out, including the scope of questions that the President would agree to answer if an interview were to actually take place, according to the person. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Donald trump could come up against Robert Mueller. Picture: AFP/Saul Loeb/Brendan Smialowski

When or even if an interview would occur was not immediately clear, nor were the terms for the interview or whether Trump’s lawyers would seek to narrow the range of questions or topics that prosecutors would cover. Mr Trump’s lawyers have previously stated their determination to co-operate with Mr Mueller’s requests. It’s not surprising that investigators would ultimately seek to interview the President given his role in several episodes under scrutiny by Mr Mueller. Any interview of Mr Trump would be a likely indication that the investigation was in its final stages — investigators typically look to interview main subjects in their inquiries near the end of a probe.

It comes a day after US Solicitor General Ken Starr said it was “probable” that President Donald Trump will be interviewed in person by Mr Mueller’s team as part of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Donald Trump said he had no problem in being interviewed over the investigation. Picture: AP/Evan Vucci

“(Mueller) needs to, in order to round out, complete his investigation, to come to a decision. He needs to look the President in the eye and ask him the appropriate questions,” Mr Starr, who headed the investigation that led to Bill Clinton’s impeachment said on an interview on CNN.

Mr Mueller for months has led a team of prosecutors and agents investigating whether Russia and Trump’s Republican campaign co-ordinated to sway the 2016 election, and whether Mr Trump has worked to obstruct an FBI investigation into his aides, including by firing the FBI director, James Comey.

Comey has said that several months before he was dismissed, Mr Trump told him he hoped he would end an investigation into his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort is under fire over the probe. Picture: Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP

Michael Flynn plead guilty to lying to the FBI. Picture: AFP/Chris Kleponis

Mr Mueller’s team recently concluded a series of interviews with many current and former White House aides, including former chief of staff Reince Priebus and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Four people have been charged so far, including Mr Flynn, who pleaded guilty in December to lying to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian ambassador. Former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was indicted on charges tied to foreign lobbying work.

Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mr Mueller, declined to comment, as did Trump lawyers John Dowd and Jay Sekulow.

Robert Mueller is said to be close to wrapping up the investigation. Picture: AP/J. Scott Applewhite

Mr Trump did not rule out the possibility of being questioned by Mr Mueller when asked about it at a press conference last weekend. He said there had been “no collusion” and “no crime.”

“But we have been very open,” Mr Trump said. “We could have done it two ways. We could have been very closed and it would have taken years. But you know, it’s sort of like, when you’ve done nothing wrong, let’s be open and get it over with.”

A White House spokesman pointed to a statement from White House lawyer Ty Cobb saying the White House doesn’t publicly discuss its conversations with Mueller but was continuing to co-operate “in order to facilitate the earliest possible resolution.”

Originally published as Robert Mueller conveys ‘interest’ in questioning Trump over Russia investigation