President Trump told Reuters today that there is at least one person who could do a better job with the Russia investigation than Robert Mueller, and that’s himself.
“I can go in, and I could do whatever — I could run it if I want. But I decided to stay out,” Trump said. “I’m totally allowed to be involved if I wanted to be. So far, I haven’t chosen to be involved. I’ll stay out.”
Legal experts disagree on the exact process, but there is some agreement that Trump has power over the inquiry, including the ability to bring about special counsel Robert Mueller’s ouster. Trump has repeatedly slammed Mueller’s investigation as a “witch hunt,” and in recent months has assailed the special counsel directly, falsely claiming that Mueller and his investigators are all “angry Democrats.”
Trump has previously urged his own Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, to end the investigation, even though the Justice Department chief has recused himself.
Trump again cast doubt on whether Moscow interfered in the 2016 race, refusing to fully accept the unanimous conclusion of U.S. intelligence community. He also said he’d be open to lifting sanctions on Russia if certain criteria were met.
Trump also echoed the concerns of his top lawyer in the probe, Rudy Giuliani, who has warned that any sit-down with Mueller could be a “perjury trap.”
“So if I say something and he Comey says something, and it’s my word against his, and he’s best friends with Mueller, so Mueller might say: ‘Well, I believe Comey,’ and even if I’m telling the truth, that makes me a liar. That’s no good.”
Despite his concerns, Trump did not comment on whether he would ultimately agree to an interview with Mueller, who is, among other things, investigating whether Trump’s campaign team colluded with Russians during the 2016 election and whether Trump has obstructed justice in the probe.
Trump also declined to say whether he might strip Mueller of his security clearance, as he did last week to former CIA Director John Brennan, who had repeatedly criticized Trump’s handling of foreign policy and national security issues.