New Report May Mean More Trouble for Trump on Russia

Washington Post says he asked intel chiefs to deny collusion
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted May 23, 2017 3:33 AM CDT
Trump Allegedly Asked Intel Chiefs to Deny Russia Story
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

A new report from the Washington Post could deepen President Trump's trouble with a special investigator. The newspaper says Trump asked the director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, and the director of the National Security Agency, Mike Rogers, to publicly reject the idea of any collusion between his 2016 campaign and Russia. Both thought the request was inappropriate and refused. CNN confirms the story. The reason it's trouble? Evidence of his requests could end up in the hands of Robert Mueller, the special investigator in charge of the Russia inquiry, who could look into whether Trump tried to impede the FBI's investigation. The Rogers request was recounted in an NSA memo, though it's unclear whether any such memo exists for the request to Coats.

Trump reportedly reached out to both after former FBI chief James Comey testified before Congress on March 20 and confirmed that the agency was investigating possible ties between members of Trump's campaign and Russia. Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, says the allegations represent "yet another disturbing allegation that the President was interfering in the FBI probe." The White House response to the story: "The White House does not confirm or deny unsubstantiated claims based on illegal leaks from anonymous individuals." (More President Trump stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X