Mueller Is Said to Seek Interviews With West Wing in Russia Case

Source: NYT

WASHINGTON In a sign that the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election will remain a continuing distraction for the White House, the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, is in talks with the West Wing about interviewing current and former senior administration officials, including the recently ousted White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, according to three people briefed on the discussions.

Mr. Mueller has asked the White House about specific meetings, who attended them and whether there are any notes, transcripts or documents about them, two of the people said. Among the matters Mr. Mueller wants to ask the officials about is President Trumps decision in May to fire the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, the two people said.

That line of questioning will be important as Mr. Mueller continues to investigate whether Mr. Trump obstructed justice in the dismissal of Mr. Comey.

No interviews have been scheduled, but in recent weeks Mr. Muellers investigation has appeared to intensify. Late last month, he took the aggressive step of executing a search warrant at the Alexandria, Va., home of Paul J. Manafort, Mr. Trumps former campaign chairman. Legal experts say Mr. Mueller may be trying to put pressure on Mr. Manafort to cooperate with the investigation.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/us/politics/mueller-trump-russia-priebus.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

---

According to the article, Trump allies are particularly "concerned" with Mueller's plans to interview Reince Priebus, whom they appear to view as disloyal.

Priebus appears on Paul Manafort's calendar on the same day that Manafort and Junior met with the Russians in Trump Tower, in the hope of learning about dirt on Hillary.

Priebus is also expected to be able to provide information on many of Comey's meetings with DT.