President Donald Trump has raised doubts on the impartiality of Robert Mueller, who is probing Russian collusion in last year’s US elections. According to BBC, the President described Mueller’s friendship with James Comey as “bothersome”.
Mueller is leading the probe into alleged Russian interference
The Justice Department gave Mr. Mueller the duty of leading the investigation into alleged Russian collusion. Mueller was appointed just after the dismissal of Mr. Comey on May 9. Details of the inquiry have not yet been revealed, but it is reported that he is investigating President Trump for probable obstruction of justice.
Mr. Trump is also examined whether he attempted to terminate an investigation into fired national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Mr. Trump has denied the accusations and termed it as “witch hunt”. BBC reports his interview with Fox & Friends on Friday, where Trump is quoted as saying “there has been no obstruction. There has been no interference.”
According to BBC, Mueller’s appointment irked Mr. Trump, despite his widespread acclamation from both Republicans and Democrats. However, recently some prominent conservatives have intensified their assaults, openly advocating for Mueller’s dismissal.
The Mueller-led team is investigating if Russian hackers’ besieged U.S electoral systems in an attempt to assist Trump win the seat of Presidency.
Russia has strongly denied the allegations.
Are there possibilities of the recordings?
The President is quoted as saying, “With all of the freshly reported electronic observation, intercepts, uncovering and illegitimate leaking of information, I have no idea whether there are tapes or soundtracks of my conversation with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have any such recordings.”
A number of legislators asked Trump to issue any tapes that might be in his possession and to even back a congressional summons to obtain them if need be.
The top Democrat on the House intelligence committee Adam Schiff tweeted that: “Time limit to turn over any tapes of Comey conversations to House Intel, if they exist, is Friday. Time is running out for White House to conform.”
Comey testified before the Congress over his perception concerning his dismissal and its relation with the FBI investigation into possible connections between Trump’s campaign team and Russia. Comey told the Congress that, “the attempt was to alter the way the Russian inquiry was being conducted.”
