New Trump 'witch hunt' tweet confirms he is being investigated for firing Comey
President Donald Trump confirmed in a Friday morning tweet that he is under investigation for firing FBI director James Comey.
The tweet read: “I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt.”
Trump was likely referring to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, according to several media reports, including stories by the New York Times, the Hill and Politico.
Some commentators, however, said Trump could be referring to special counsel Robert Mueller. Rosenstein appointed Mueller following the recusal of Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the FBI investigation of Russian influence.
The Times points out that Trump’s tweet came hours after an “oddly worded” statement by Rosenstein about leaks.
Rosenstein’s statement read: “Americans should exercise caution before accepting as true any stories attributed to anonymous ‘officials,’ particularly when they do not identify the country—let alone the branch or agency of government—with which the alleged sources supposedly are affiliated.”
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that Mueller is investigating possible obstruction of justice by Trump. According to the Post, both Comey and Daniel Coats, director of national Intelligence, have said Trump sought their help in hopes the FBI would drop the investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
The Post’s information on Coats is based on anonymous sources who claimed Trump asked Coats whether he could ask Comey to back off the FBI’s focus on Flynn. Coats reportedly said he didn’t feel pressured however.
Comey’s claim was aired in public congressional testimony last week. He testified that, about three months before his firing, Trump pressed him to drop the investigation of Flynn by saying he hoped Comey could let it go.
I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2017
