Jared Kushner focus of Mueller questions

Investigators examining US-Russia ties during the US election are reportedly asking witnesses about any role Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner may have had in the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

Questions about Kushner “signal that Mueller’s investigators are reaching the president’s inner circle and have extended beyond the 2016 campaign to actions taken at the White House by high-level officials”, says CNN, which cites unnamed sources.

Kushner, Trump’s senior adviser, has reportedly turned over documents in recent weeks to special counsel Robert Mueller, leading the inquiry, according to CNN.

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US investigators are also reportedly looking into Tony Podesta, a prominent Democratic lobbyist, and Vin Weber, a former GOP congressman, the Associated Press reports.

The news comes after a dramatic week in which Trump’s former campaign chair Paul Manafort, and Manfort’s business partner Rick Gates, were indicted on 12 counts including money laundering. Separately, Trump official George Papadopoulos agreed to a plea deal, admitting he lied to FBI investigators.

Trump’s apparent rage over the inquiry has provoked speculation that the president might seek to abort the investigation by firing Mueller or pardoning Manafort.

“So broad is the president’s pardon power that he can pardon a person for past actions, even if that individual has not yet been charged,” says NPR.