Jared Kushner under scrutiny in FBI investigation

President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law's ties with Russia turn heat up on administration

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FBI investigators examining alleged ties between Donald Trump's administration and Russia have turned its focus on to the US President's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.

According to CNN, the investigation is focussing on his reported contact with Russian officials, along with his "relationship with former national security adviser Michael Flynn", who Trump fired over his contradictory statements to Vice President Mike Pence about his contact with Russia's ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak.

Reports suggest investigators "believe [Kushner] has relevant information", but he is not suspected of committing any crimes.

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According to the Financial Times, Kushner has come under the spotlight over two meetings he had at the end of 2016, one with Kislyak and one with Sergei Gorkov, the head of state-owned development bank Vnesheconombank, which is currently under US sanctions.

Focussing on Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, brings the investigation "not only on to the doorstep of the White House, but the Trump family circle", writes NBC.

FBI officials also made it clear Kushner was in a "different category" from Flynn and Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who are regarded as the formal subjects of the investigation.

The records of both Flynn and Manafort have been demanded by grand jury subpoenas, NBC adds, while it is unclear whether the FBI has demanded the same of Kushner.

Kushner's lawyer said he is willing to talk to federal investigators if requested.

"Mr Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about these meetings," Jamie Gorelick told NBC. "He will do the same if he is contacted in connection with any other inquiry."

Trump has described the FBI's investigations as "the single greatest witch-hunt of a politician in American history".

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