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A4 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 6 January 2018

Trump’s directive on recusal adds to obstruction questions

whether Trump’s actions as “What this adds that is
president constitute an ef- new is that he took action
fort to impede that same to prevent, to attempt to
probe. Those include the prevent, Sessions from re-
firing of FBI Director James cusing himself,” said Notre
Comey, an allegation by Dame criminal law profes-
Comey that Trump encour- sor Jimmy Gurule, a former
aged him to end an investi- federal prosecutor. “So
gation into former national now we go simply beyond
security adviser Michael his state of mind, his per-
Flynn and the president’s sonal beliefs, to taking con-
role in drafting an incom- crete action to attempt to
plete and potentially mis- prevent Sessions from re-
leading statement about a cusing himself.”
2016 meeting with Russians. Though the episode makes
The latest revelation — that clear Trump’s exaspera-
Trump directed his White tion with the investigation,
House counsel, Don Mc- it remains unclear whether
Gahn, to tell Sessions not to Mueller’s team has evi-
recuse himself from the Rus- dence to establish that the
sia investigation — is known president’s collective ac-
to Mueller’s investigators, tions were done with the
In this Dec. 15, 2017 photo, President Donald Trump sits with Attorney General Jeff Sessions who have interviewed corrupt intent needed to
during the FBI National Academy graduation ceremony in Quantico, Va. Trump’s White House many current and former prove obstruction of jus-
counsel personally lobbied Attorney General Jeff Sessions to not recuse himself from the Justice executive branch officials. tice.
Department’s investigation into potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. It adds to the portrait of a Trump and his lawyers
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) president left furious by an have repeatedly main-
By ERIC TUCKER loyal supporter of his elec- tangle potential evidence investigation that he has tained that he did noth-
CHAD DAY tion bid, in charge of an of obstruction. called a hoax and suggests ing improper and that,
Associated Press investigation into his cam- The federal investigation that he worked through an as president, he had un-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- paign offers special coun- into possible coordination intermediary to keep the equivocal authority to fire
dent Donald Trump’s effort sel Robert Mueller yet an- between the Trump cam- inquiry under the watch of Comey and to take other
to keep Attorney General other avenue to explore as paign and Russia already an attorney general he ex- actions. They also argue
Jeff Sessions, a vocal and his prosecutors work to un- includes a close look at pected would be loyal. that the president was
empowered to want the
FBI probing Clinton Foundation corruption claims attorney general he ap-
pointed to oversee the Jus-
By SADIE GURMAN prosecutors and FBI agents Foundation-related investi- attempts to influence the tice Department’s Russian
meddling investigation or,
Associated Press taking the lead from their gation in 2016, saying they 2016 election. as McGahn contended to
WASHINGTON (AP) — The offices in Little Rock, Arkan- had concerns about the Sessions in November di- Sessions, that there was no
FBI is investigating wheth- sas, where the foundation strength of the FBI’s evi- rected senior federal basis or reason at that time
er the Clinton Foundation has offices. dence. prosecutors to evaluate for the attorney general to
accepted donations in The people were not au- A spokesman for the foun- a number of Republican recuse himself.
exchange for political fa- thorized to discuss the in- dation, Craig Minassian, grievances and determine Jonathan Turley, a law
vors while Hillary Clinton vestigation publicly and said it had been “subject- whether a special coun- professor at George Wash-
was secretary of state, two spoke on condition of ano- ed to politically motivated sel should be appointed ington University who sup-
people familiar with the nymity. The Hill newspaper allegations, and time af- to look into allegations ports Sessions’ decision
probe confirmed Friday. first reported the probe. ter time these allegations that the Clinton Founda- to recuse, said he sees
The revelation comes as Critics have accused the have proven false.” tion benefited from an Trump’s order to McGahn
President Donald Trump Clinton family of using the Trump has repeatedly Obama-era uranium trans- as another sign of the presi-
and congressional Republi- foundation to enrich them- called for an investigation action involving a Russian dent’s novice — and norm-
cans have been urging the selves and give donors into Clinton, her aides and state company. In a let- breaking — approach to
Justice Department to look special access to the State the foundation, harping on ter to the House Judiciary governing, rather than evi-
into corruption allegations Department when Hillary Attorney General Jeff Ses- Committee, Sessions said dence of any wrongdoing.
involving the foundation. Clinton was secretary of sions for not taking action. the prosecutors would also “This may have been part
It is unclear when or why state. Democrats say Trump is try- make recommendations of the learning curve,” Tur-
the probe began, but the But public corruption pros- ing to steer attention away into “whether any mat- ley said.
sources told The Associat- ecutors in Washington ex- from investigations examin- ters currently under inves- “It does not necessarily
ed Press it has been ongo- pressed disinterest in work- ing whether his campaign tigation need additional mean that he was cover-
ing for several months, with ing with the FBI on a Clinton was involved with Russian resources.”q ing up a crime.” q