Trump says he is looking forward to testifying 'under oath' in special counsel probe
President Donald Trump/Shutterstock.com.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he is looking forward to testifying in the special counsel’s probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
“I would love to do it, and I would like to do it as soon as possible,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday. “I would do it under oath, absolutely.” He added that any interview would be “subject to my lawyers, and all of that, “and that the interview could take place in the next two to three weeks.
The Washington Post, USA Today and the New York Times have stories.
Trump made the comments after revelations that investigators for Robert Mueller interviewed Attorney General Jeff Sessions last week and former FBI director James Comey last year.
The Post reported Wednesday that the special counsel was reportedly seeking to interview Trump about decisions to fire Comey and the ouster of national security adviser Michael Flynn, who has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia’s former ambassador, Sergey Kislyak. Investigators also reportedly sought information about whether Trump tried to oust Sessions. One anonymous source told the Post that the special counsel’s office was “looking for a pattern.”
Trump told reporters there was “no collusion whatsoever” and “no obstruction whatsoever.” When “you fight back,” he said, it is interpreted as obstruction.
According to the Post, “Trump’s remarks took White House officials by surprise and came as his lawyers were negotiating with Mueller’s team on a potential interview.” White House lawyer Ty Cobb told the Times that Trump intended only to say that he was willing to meet with the special counsel’s office.
“He’s ready to meet with them, but he’ll be guided by the advice of his personal counsel,” Cobb said. According to the Times, interviews with the FBI and prosecutors are not conducted under oath, although lying to the FBI is a felony. Testimony taken under oath is typically before a grand jury.
Trump fired Comey on May 9, and deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe became acting director. The Post reported Wednesday that Trump reportedly asked McCabe how he voted in the election, Trump told reporters he doesn’t remember asking the question.
“I don’t think I did,” he said. “I don’t know what’s the big deal with that. I would ask you who you voted for. … I don’t remember asking him that question. I think it’s also a very unimportant question.”
