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1st LD: Trump intended to fire Russia inquiry's special counsel but backed down: report

Xinhua,January 26, 2018 Adjust font size:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump had intended to fire Robert Mueller, special counsel for Russia investigation, last June but backed down, local media reported Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Trump's order did not go through because White House Counsel Don McGahn threatened to quit if the president insisted on doing it, according to a report from the New York Times.

The report said Trump expressed concern over three possible conflicts of interests, including Mueller's onetime membership at the Trump National Golf Club, his connection with a law firm that represented Trump's son-in-law and the interview Mueller had with the president for the job as head of the FBI.

Mueller is investigating allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

The special counsel's team is also reportedly looking into any attempts by Trump to obstruct the investigation. Enditem

 

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