George Papadopoulos reportedly lied to the FBI to protect Trump

George Papadopoulos.
(Image credit: Screenshot/Linkedin)

President Trump's former foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos, reportedly lied to the FBI about his contact with Russian agents out of "loyalty" to the White House, a person familiar with the investigation told ABC News. Papadopoulos was charged with making false statements after being arrested in July, and he has reportedly been cooperating with government officials since.

Former FBI Director James Comey testified over the summer that Trump told him: "I need loyalty, I expect loyalty." But as Special Counsel Robert Mueller has moved forward in his ongoing Russia probe, lawyers have reportedly warned their clients that attempting to cover up for the president makes things "worse for everybody."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

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.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.