Mueller's team is reportedly questioning Russian oligarchs
 
 
In recent weeks, Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team has questioned Russian oligarchs traveling in the United States, and in at least one case they searched a man's electronic devices after he got off his private jet in the New York City area, several people familiar with the matter told CNN on Wednesday.
Mueller is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, and his interest in Russian oligarchs suggests that his team is focusing on the possible flow of foreign money to President Trump's campaign and inauguration fund, CNN reports. Under campaign finance laws, foreign nationals are not allowed to donate to U.S. political campaigns. The Center for Responsive Politics says Trump's presidential campaign raised $333 million and his inauguration committee raised a record $106.8 million.
Late last year, Mueller's team asked some witnesses if they knew of any Russians who made donations directly or indirectly to the Trump campaign, CNN reports. The team is now taking a close look at investments Russians made in any companies or think tanks with political action committees that gave money to the Trump campaign, and also investigating whether Russians funneled money to Americans with citizenship, who then donated to the Trump campaign or inaugural fund, several people told CNN.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
- 
 How Mike Johnson is rendering the House ‘irrelevant’ How Mike Johnson is rendering the House ‘irrelevant’Talking Points Speaker has put the House on indefinite hiatus 
- 
 Lazarus: Harlan Coben’s ‘embarrassingly compelling’ thriller Lazarus: Harlan Coben’s ‘embarrassingly compelling’ thrillerThe Week Recommends Bill Nighy and Sam Claflin play father-and-son psychiatrists in this ‘precision-engineered’ crime drama 
- 
 Dutch center-left rises in election as far-right falls Dutch center-left rises in election as far-right fallsSpeed Read The country’s other parties have ruled against forming a coalition 
- 
 Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read 
- 
 Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2 Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read 
- 
 'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor 'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read 
- 
 Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read 
- 
 Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read 
- 
 Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read 
- 
 Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read 
- 
 Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read 
