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January 18, 2018
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Mueller Team Would Hardly be First Lawyers to Question Trump

By ERIC TUCKER
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Don-
ald Trump was in a roomful
of lawyers, venting about
unfair treatment in the me-
dia that he said had under-
stated his net worth and
damaged his brand.
It was December 2007,
a decade before Trump
would become president
and routinely excoriate re-
porters for “fake news.” This
time, the businessman was
facing a daylong deposi-
tion in his lawsuit against a
journalist he’d accused of
downplaying his wealth.
Had he, one lawyer wanted
to know, ever lied about his
real estate properties? I try
not to, Trump said. Ever ex-
aggerated? Who wouldn’t,
he replied.
“You always want to put
the best possible spin on
a property that you can,”
Trump explained. “No dif-
ferent than any other real
estate developer, no dif-
ferent than any other busi- In this Jan. 16, 2018, photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev in
nessman, no different than the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. An Associated Press review of statements made under oath by Trump gives clues
about how he might handle questions from special counsel Robert Mueller’s team of investigators. It’s not clear when or even if
any politician.” Mueller and his team will question Trump, though the topic has been broached.
That exchange and others (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
like it could be instructive into possible obstruction of not only reflect his deep ness who is by turns voluble, occasionally combative,
as Trump braces for the justice. experience in providing giving expansive answers once deriding a lawyer for
possibility of an interview The Associated Press re- sworn statements to law- far beyond the questions “very stupid” questions.
with special counsel Robert viewed hundreds of pag- yers but also offer clues to asked; boastful, using un- The garrulous style belies
Mueller’s team of investiga- es of depositions taken of a rhetorical style that could related queries to expound the “just the facts, ma’am”
tors, who are looking into Trump in the past decade, again be on display in the on his wealth or popularity; approach many defense
potential coordination be- including in contract and event Trump is questioned unapologetic, swift to de- lawyers advocate.
tween Russia and his presi- defamation lawsuits. The by Mueller. fend incendiary comments
dential campaign, and interviews, taken together, The transcripts reveal a wit- or criticized actions; and Continued on Page 3

‘Very Strong’ Democratic Sentiment to Oppose GOP Budget Bill

By ALAN FRAM that the government could ber in our caucus have participants reported little Republicans on immigra-
ANDREW TAYLOR shut down at midnight Fri- said they don’t like this deal progress. tion. House GOP leaders
Associated Press day night. and they believe if we kick “Good will but no prog- unveiled the spending bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Democrats’ votes are the can down the road this ress,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, Tuesday night, sweetening
Senate Democrat Chuck needed to advance the time we’ll be back where D-Ill., a negotiator but one it with a six-year renewal
Schumer said Wednesday stopgap measure through we started from next time,” whose loyalties lie chiefly of the popular Children’s
there’s “very, very strong” the Senate, but they have Schumer said. “So there’s with separate compromise Health Insurance Program
sentiment among Demo- been rebuffed in their de- very, very strong support legislation on the so-called and with provisions to
crats in the chamber to mands to add protections not to go along with their “Dreamer” immigrants that temporarily suspend three
oppose GOP-drafted legis- against deportation for deal.” he’s co-authored with Lind- “Obamacare” taxes, in-
lation to keep the govern- younger immigrants who Talks among a bipartisan sey Graham, R-S.C., Jeff cluding a tax on generous
ment’s doors open, com- were brought to the coun- group of leaders of both Flake, R-Ariz., and Cory “Cadillac” health plans.
ments that could indicate try illegally as children. the House and Senate con- Gardner, R-Colo., some of
the chances are increasing “The overwhelming num- vened Wednesday, but the Senate’s most dovish Continued on Page 3