‘Probable’ that Donald Trump will be interviewed by Robert Mueller in Russia investigation, reports
THE man who headed the investigation that led to Bill Clinton’s impeachment says Donald Trump will likely be interviewed in Russia investigation.
FORMER US Solicitor General Ken Starr said overnight it’s “probable” that President Donald Trump will be interviewed in person by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team as part of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
“(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 said on an interview on CNN.”
Mr Starr, who led the investigation which ended in Bill Clinton’s impeachment, said he has not seen evidence of obstruction of justice, but said “we don’t know what Bob Mueller knows, so the jury is out. He’s finding out facts, so my view is let him do his job.”
Star said there would be a negotiation in getting Mr Trump in front of Mr Mueller.
“The last thing you would want would be to have the President be subpoenaed,” he said.
Democratic senator Richard Blumenthal, also told CNN that Mr Mueller will “unquestionably” interview Mr Trump this year.
“My view is it will probably happen sometime this year. We’re going to have more convictions,” Blumenthal said.
When asked by a reporter over the weekend if he would meet with Mr Mueller if requested, Mr Trump responded, “yeah,” but then immediately deflected to say there was “no collusion” between his campaign and Russian meddling in last year’s election. Mr Trump did not clarify his remarks.
SPECIAL PROTECTIONS ENDING FOR IMMIGRANTS
It comes as the Trump administration said overnight it is ending special protections for Salvadoran immigrants, an action that could force nearly 200,000 to leave the US by September 2019 or face deportation.
El Salvador is the fourth country whose citizens have lost Temporary Protected Status under President Donald Trump.
Salvadorans have been, by far, the largest beneficiaries of the program, which provides humanitarian relief for foreigners whose countries are hit with natural disasters or other strife. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s decision, while not surprising, will send shivers through parts of Washington, Los Angeles, New York, Houston and other metropolitan areas that are home to large numbers of Salvadorans. They have enjoyed special protection since earthquakes struck the Central American country in 2001, and many have established deep roots in the US starting families and businesses.
The action also produces a serious challenge for El Salvador, a country of 6.2 million people whose economy counts on money sent by wage earners in the US. Over the past decade, growing numbers of Salvadorans — many coming as families or unaccompanied children — have entered the United States illegally through Mexico, fleeing violence and poverty.
In September 2016, the Obama administration extended protections for 18 months, saying El Salvador suffered lingering harm from the 2001 earthquakes that killed more than 1000 people and was temporarily unable to absorb such a large number of returning people.
Nielsen, who faced a Monday deadline for a decision, determined that El Salvador has received significant international aid to recover from the earthquake and that homes, schools and hospitals there have been rebuilt. Salvadorans will have until Sept. 9, 2019, to leave the country or adjust their legal status. “The substantial disruption of living conditions caused by the earthquake” no longer exists, the department said in a statement.
Homeland Security also said more than 39,000 Salvadorans have returned home from the US in two years, demonstrating El Salvador’s capacity to absorb people. It said the 18-month delay would give Congress time to develop a legislative change if it chooses, while also giving Salvadorans and their government time to prepare.
The US created Temporary Protected Status in 1990 to provide safe havens for people from countries affected by earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, war and other disasters, and it currently shields nearly 320,000 people from 10 countries.
BILLIONAIRE PLEDGES $38 MILLION TO MOBILISE YOUNG VOTERS
It comes as American billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer announced overnight he will spend A$38 million to get young voters to the polls in this year’s midterm elections.
Mr Steyer is a former hedge fund manager who has invested some of his wealth in an array of political causes, most notably fighting climate change. Forbes estimates his wealth at A$2.4 billion.
Mr Steyer has recently turned his focus to advocating for President Donald Trump’s impeachment. He says that effort will continue.
But now he is focusing his financial clout to help Democrats running for the House and Senate. He said Republicans won’t cross a president who controls their base regardless of what he says or does.
“We now know that this partisan fight has becomes a fierce battle for the soul of America,” Mr Steyer said. “And we, the people, have to win this battle, and we don’t just have to win, we have to run the table.” Steyer considered running for office, but says that’s not where he can make the biggest difference. He is the founder of NextGen America, a liberal advocacy group. He is the main source of cash for a super PAC called the NextGen Climate Action Committee, which spent more than A$115 million in the last election cycle.
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