Trump: If Russia 'had anything on me, it would have come out a long time ago'
President Trump declared Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation a "cloud" that has now been lifted in his first interview since the probe's completion.
Trump told Sean Hannity in a Fox News interview on Wednesday night that the investigation was a "ridiculous thing that happened," adding that he's "getting to the bottom" of how it started and promising to release documents related to the probe, including the FISA warrants he previously said he would declassify.
This interview came after Attorney General William Barr told Congress that Mueller did not find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, but that Mueller did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. In light of Mueller's findings, Trump told Hannity that if Russia "had anything on me, it would have come out a long time ago, probably a long time before I ran."
Subscribe to 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.
That, he argued, is because Russia would have been "better off" with Hillary Clinton as president. In fact, Trump argued, Russia was not even really in favor of him winning the 2016 election. Moscow was "for and against both" candidates, he said, and "would much rather have Hillary than Donald Trump." This contradicts the conclusion of federal investigators that Russia wanted Trump to win the 2016 election, notes Politico.
The president spent much of his interview attacking his enemies, such as House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who he said should be "forced out of office" because "it's a crime, what he did," referring to his suggestions that Trump colluded with Russia. "He knew he was lying," Trump claimed. He also again accused former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page of treason and likened the whole Russia probe to an "attempted takeover of our government." Watch the full interview below. Brendan Morrow
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - January 12, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - snowed in, dangerous conditions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 fact-checked cartoons about Meta firing its fact checkers
Cartoons Artists take on playing chicken, information superhighway, and more
By The Week US Published
-
NCHIs: the controversy over non-crime hate incidents
The Explainer Is the policing of non-crime hate incidents an Orwellian outrage or an essential tool of modern law enforcement?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Jimmy Carter honored in state funeral, laid to rest
Speed Read The state funeral was attended by all living presidents
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sentenced after Supreme Court rejection
Speed Read Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices in the majority
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
DOJ to release half of Trump special counsel report
Speed Read The portion regarding Trump's retention of classified documents will not be publicly released
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Jimmy Carter lies in state as 3-day DC farewell begins
Speed Read The 39th president died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Giuliani held in contempt of court over forfeit assets
Speed Read He has failed to turn over $11 million in assets to two Georgia election workers he defamed after the 2020 election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden resettles 11 more Guantánamo detainees
Speed Read In an effort to reduce the number of prisoners held in Guantánamo Bay, Biden transferred 11 Yemeni detainees to Oman
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Canada's Trudeau announces resignation
Speed Read Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down after nearly a decade in office
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden signs boost to Social Security for public workers
Speed Read The president signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, expanding retirement benefits for millions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published