Donald Trump says Mueller probe must end ‘right now’
Latest presidential outburst raises yet more questions about obstruction of justice
Donald Trump has demanded that special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election should be stopped immediately.
The US president called on Jeff Sessions, his attorney general, to halt the investigation that has dogged his presidency almost since it began. Some Trump critics suggested that the demand is tantamount to obstruction of justice.
Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the tweet was “an attempt to obstruct justice hiding in plain sight” and that “America must never accept it.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Mueller is still seeking to interview Trump about his role in the campaign. He has “offered to reduce the number of obstruction-related questions” to be put to the president, CNN reports, provided he answer those questions in person.
The timing of the latest outburst on the topic by Trump is noteworthy, coming as former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort appeared in court for the first trial resulting from the Mueller investigation.
Trump tweeted his support for Manafort, who is charged with tax fraud, financial conspiracy and failing to report foreign earnings, “comparing his plight to the Prohibition-era gangster Al Capone”, The Times reports.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Week Unwrapped: Will Grace Wales Bonner change Hermès for the better?Podcast Plus will nuclear fusion deliver us from climate change? Is humour the best way to take on Trump?
-
The week’s best photosIn Pictures A fluffy hug, a toppled tower, and more
-
Common signs of a romance scam and what one could cost youthe explainer Don’t let love cloud your judgment
-
The UK-made Storm Shadow missiles Ukraine is using in RussiaThe Explainer Ukraine reportedly deployed the long-range British missiles this week, following a tense meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump
-
Proposed Trump-Putin talks in Budapest on holdSpeed Read Trump apparently has no concrete plans to meet with Putin for Ukraine peace talks
-
What is Donald Trump planning in Latin America?Today’s Big Question US ramps up feud with Colombia over drug trade, while deploying military in the Caribbean to attack ships and increase tensions with Venezuela
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
Remaking the military: Pete Hegseth’s war on diversity and ‘fat generals’Talking Point The US Secretary of War addressed military members on ‘warrior ethos’
-
How does the Nobel Peace Prize work?The Explainer Activist María Corina Machado wins prestigious prize, despite public campaign by Donald Trump
-
Israel, Hamas agree to first step of Trump peace planSpeed Read Israel’s military pulls back in Gaza amid prisoner exchange