Topics of the Mueller special counsel investigation explained

The Mueller special counsel investigation was started by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who was serving as Acting Attorney General due to the recusal of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He authorized Robert Mueller to investigate and prosecute "any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump", as well as "any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation" and any other matters within the scope of 28 CFR 600.4 – Jurisdiction.[1] [2]

The investigation's broad scope allowed Mueller to investigate many topics, including: Russian election interference; links between Trump associates and Russian officials and spies; alleged collusion between Trump campaign and Russian agents; potential obstruction of justice; financial investigations; lobbyists; Trump as a subject of investigation; other topics; and the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal.

Russian election interference

See main article: Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. In late-July 2016, the FBI opened counterintelligence investigations into four Americans who had contact with Trump to determine whether they might have coordinated or cooperated with Russia's activities.[3] [4] [5] Those investigations became part of the Special Counsel's portfolio.[6]

Among the U.S. intelligence agencies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agencies in January 2017 concluded "with high confidence" (and the National Security Agency with "moderate confidence") that the Russian government interfered in the election by hacking into the computer servers of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the personal Gmail account of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and forwarding their contents to WikiLeaks,[7] [8] [9] as well as by disseminating fake news promoted on social media,[10] and by penetrating, or trying to penetrate, the election systems and databases of multiple U.S. states.[11] de Volkskrant reported on January 25, 2018, that Dutch intelligence agency AIVD had penetrated the Russian hacking group Cozy Bear in 2014 and in 2015 observed them hack the State Department and White House in real time, as well as capturing the images of the hackers via a security camera in their workspace.[12] [13] The New York Times reported on July 18, 2018, that American, British and Dutch intelligence services had observed stolen DNC emails on Russian military intelligence networks.[14] NBC News reported on March 1, 2018, that Mueller was assembling a case for criminal charges against Russians who carried out the hacking and leaking.[15] Those charges were brought on July 13, 2018.[16]

Russia's influence on U.S. voters through social media is a primary focus of the Mueller investigation.[17] Mueller used a search warrant to obtain detailed information about Russian ad purchases on Facebook. According to a former federal prosecutor, the warrant means that a judge was convinced that foreigners had illegally contributed to influencing a US election via Facebook Ads.[18]

On February 13, 2018, in testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, the heads of the top six American intelligence agencies unanimously reaffirmed Russian interference. Three sources familiar with Trump's thinking told CNN he remains unconvinced that Russia interfered because it suggests he didn't win the election solely on his own merits.[19]

During a July 16, 2018, press conference at the 2018 Russia–United States summit in Helsinki, Finland, President Putin was asked, "did you want President Trump to win the election and did you direct any of your officials to help him do that?" Putin replied, "Yes, I did. Yes, I did. Because he talked about bringing the US-Russia relationship back to normal."[20]

The Mueller Report concluded while there was no evidence that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia to influence the election, the Russian government did attempt to influence the election in Trump's favor by hacking Democratic political organizations and spreading "disinformation and social media" discord.[21]

Links between Trump associates and Russian officials and spies

See main article: Links between Trump associates and Russian officials and spies. As early as spring 2015, American intelligence agencies started overhearing conversations in which Russian government officials, some within the Kremlin, discussed associates of Trump, then a presidential candidate.[22] [23] The New York Times reported on February 14, 2017, that phone records and communications intercepts showed that Trump associates—including members of the Trump campaign—had "repeated contacts" with senior Russian intelligence officials during the 2016 campaign. Paul Manafort was the only Trump associate who was specifically identified as participating in these communications. In addition, some senior Trump associates, including Kushner, Trump Jr., Sessions, Flynn and Manafort, had direct contacts with Russian officials during 2016.[24] In congressional testimony the following June, Comey stated the Times report was "in the main" not true. The Times reported that during the intervening months, its sources continued to believe the reporting was "solid."[25] In July 2020, the Senate Judiciary Committee released notes taken contemporaneously with the Times report by FBI Counterintelligence Division chief Peter Strzok indicating his skepticiam about the Times reporting, writing, “We have not seen evidence of any officials associated with the Trump team in contact with [intelligence officers]" and "“We are unaware of ANY Trump advisors engaging in conversations with Russian intelligence officials.”[26] The Times stood by its account, subsequently reporting that the released notes did not provide a fully accurate representation of Strzok's knowledge.[27] Michael Flynn was forced to resign as National Security Advisor on February 13, 2017, after it was revealed that on December 29, 2016, the day that Obama announced sanctions against Russia, Flynn had discussed the sanctions with Russian ambassador Kislyak. Flynn had earlier acknowledged speaking to Kislyak but denied discussing the sanctions.[28] [29] Also in December 2016, Flynn and presidential advisor Jared Kushner met with Kislyak hoping to set up a direct, secure line of communication with Russian officials about which American intelligence agencies would be unaware.[30] [31] Jared Kushner also met with Sergei Gorkov, the head of the Russian state-owned bank Vnesheconombank (VEB), which has been subject to U.S. economic sanctions since July 2014.[32] Flynn and Kushner failed to report these meetings on their security clearance forms.[33] [34]

The Trump Organization pursued a luxury hotel and condominium project in Moscow—dubbed the Trump Tower Moscow—during the Trump presidential campaign. This project was facilitated by Michael Cohen, then an attorney for the Trump Organization, and from January 2017 to May 2018 Trump's personal attorney. Trump signed a nonbinding "letter of intent" dated October 13, 2015, to proceed with the project. The letter, also signed by Russian investor Andrei Rozov, was forwarded to Cohen by Russian-American real estate developer Felix Sater, who had worked with The Trump Organization on prior deals, including Trump SoHo and Trump International Hotel & Residence. Sater has also been involved in criminal activities involving organized crime and has served as an informant to the FBI relating to those activities.[35] He boasted to Cohen about his connections to Vladimir Putin, saying in an email to Cohen on November 13, 2015, "Buddy our boy can become president of the USA and we can engineer it. I will get all of Putins [''sic''] team to buy in on this. I will manage this process."[36] [37] He also asserted that he had secured financing for the project through the Russian state-owned VTB Bank, which was under sanctions by the United States government. Cohen emailed Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in January 2016 to request assistance in advancing the project and later stated he didn't recall receiving a response. Cohen told the Senate Intelligence Committee in September 2017 that the deal was abandoned in January 2016, but in November 2018 admitted in a guilty plea that he had minimized Trump's role in the plans "to be consistent with [Trump's] political messaging" and that negotiations had actually extended through June 2016. Cohen also admitted that Peskov's office had, in fact, replied to his January 2016 email and discussed the deal with him on the phone.[38] [39] In a sentencing memorandum filed the day after his guilty plea, Cohen's attorneys stated he kept Trump "apprised" of the "substantive conversation" Cohen had with the Russian official, and discussed with Trump traveling to Russia to advance the project during the summer of 2016.[40] BuzzFeed News reported on March 12, 2018, that Mueller's investigators had questioned Sater,[41] and on April 13, 2018, reported that a former Russian spy had helped secure financing for the project.[42] In 2010, Sater was provided business cards describing himself as "Senior Advisor to Donald Trump" with an email address at TrumpOrg.com.[43] In a 2013 sworn affidavit, Trump said "If [Sater] were sitting in the room right now, I really wouldn't know what he looked like,"[44] and in 2015 he stated "Felix Sater, boy, I have to even think about it. I'm not that familiar with him."[45]

The Trump team issued multiple denials of any contacts between Trump associates and Russia, but in sixteen cases those denials turned out to be false.[46] [47] On December 4, 2017, in a court filing requesting that the judge revoke Manafort's bond agreement, prosecutors stated that Paul Manafort had worked with a Russian intelligence official to draft an op-ed essay while he was out on bail.[48] The New York Times reported, on March 28, 2018, that former Trump campaign deputy chairman Rick Gates had, in September and October 2016, frequently communicated with a man that the FBI believes is a former agent of GRU, Russia's largest foreign intelligence agency, and who had maintained active links with Russian intelligence during these communications; this disclosure was written into a court sentencing document for Alex van der Zwaan, submitted by Robert Mueller. Identified in the document as "Person A", The Times reported that the man matched the description of Konstantin Kilimnik, who, for years, was Paul Manafort's "right-hand man" in Ukraine. Gates reportedly told an associate that he knew "Person A" was a former GRU agent, although Manafort told associates he was not aware of such a connection.[49] The Times reported on January 8, 2019, that in spring 2016 Gates and Manafort gave polling data, some of which was private to the Trump campaign, to Kilimnik, asking he pass it to Ukrainians Serhiy Lyovochkin and Rinat Akhmetov.[50] During a closed-door court hearing on February 4, 2019, regarding false statements Manafort had made to investigators about his communications with Kilimnik, special counsel prosecutor Andrew Weissmann told judge Amy Berman Jackson that "This goes, I think, very much to the heart of what the special counsel's office is investigating," suggesting that Mueller's office continued to examine a possible agreement between Russia and the Trump campaign.[51]

Reuters reported on March 29, 2018, that the special counsel is examining an event at the 2016 Republican National Convention at which Jeff Sessions had conversations with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak. Investigators are also looking into how and why language deemed hostile to Russia was removed from the Republican party's platform document during the convention. Mueller's office is also inquiring whether Sessions had private conversations with Kislyak at a Trump speech at the Mayflower Hotel in April 2016.[52]

The Steele dossier asserted that Trump attorney Michael Cohen in August 2016 had a clandestine meeting with Kremlin representatives in Prague. Cohen has stated he has never been to Prague, inviting investigators to examine his passport.[53] McClatchy reported on April 13, 2018, that Mueller's investigators have evidence that in August or early September 2016 Cohen traveled to Prague by way of Germany. Such a trip would not have required a passport as Germany and the Czech Republic are in the Schengen Area which has abolished passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders.[54] On April 14, 2018, Cohen again denied he had ever been to Prague, although weeks after the 2016 election he had told journalist David Corn he had been in Prague fourteen years earlier.[55] [56] McClatchy reported in December 2018 that a mobile phone traced to Cohen had "pinged" cellphone towers around Prague in late summer 2016. McClatchy also reported that during that time an eastern European intelligence agency had intercepted communications between Russians, one of whom mentioned that Cohen was in Prague.[57] The Mueller Report did not conclude Cohen had been in Prague, citing his testimony to investigators.[58] On July 21, 2018, the Justice Department released a heavily redacted version of the October 2016 FISA warrant application for Carter Page, which stated in part "The FBI believes that Page has been collaborating and conspiring with the Russian government" and "the FBI believes that the Russian government's efforts are being coordinated with Page and perhaps other individuals associated with Candidate #1's campaign."[59] [60] The application also stated The Steele dossier asserted that Page had secretly met "senior Kremlin Internal Affairs official, DIVYEKIN" in Moscow on "either 7 or 8 July" of 2016, while Page was still officially with the Trump campaign, but did not refer to any kompromat.

Alleged collusion between Trump campaign and Russian agents

2016

Mueller investigated the meeting on June 9, 2016, in Trump Tower in New York City between three senior members of Trump's presidential campaign—Kushner, Manafort, and Donald Trump Jr.—and at least five other people, including Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, Rinat Akhmetshin, a lobbyist and former Soviet army officer who met senior Trump campaign aides, Ike Kaveladze, British publicist Rob Goldstone, and translator Anatoli Samochornov.[61] [62] Goldstone had suggested the meeting to Trump Jr., and it was arranged in a series of emails later made public. In one email exchange of June 3, 2016, Goldstone wrote Trump Jr. that Aras Agalarov "offered to provide the Trump campaign with some official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father", adding that it was "very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government's support for Mr. Trump" that he could send to Donald Trump's assistant Rhona Graff. Trump Jr. responded minutes later "Thanks Rob I appreciate that" and "if it's what you say I love it."[63] Trump Jr. initially told the press that the meeting was held to discuss adoptions of Russian children by Americans, but after contrary media reports he added that he agreed to the meeting with the understanding that he would receive information damaging to Hillary Clinton.[64] Mueller's team investigated the emails and the meeting, and whether President Trump later tried to hide the meeting's purpose.[65] On July 18, 2017, Kaveladze's attorney said that Mueller's investigators were seeking information about the meeting in June 2016 from his client,[66] and on July 21, Mueller asked the White House to preserve all documents related to the meeting.[67] It has been reported that Manafort had made notes during the meeting.[68] CNN reported on July 26, 2018, that anonymous sources stated that Michael Cohen was prepared to tell the Mueller investigation that Trump was aware of and approved of the June 9, 2016, meeting in advance, which Trump and Trump Jr. have repeatedly denied. CNN reported in the same story that Cohen attorney Lanny Davis had declined to comment for the report.[69] The following day, The Washington Post reported a similar story coming from one anonymous source, although the paper did not specifically mention Russians.[70] One month later, Davis identified himself as that source, clarifying that he could not be certain of Cohen's knowledge in the matter. Davis also asserted he had been a source for the CNN story.[71] A CNN spokeswoman stated, "We stand by our story, and are confident in our reporting of it."[72]

CNN reported on March 23, 2017, that the FBI was examining "human intelligence, travel, business and phone records and accounts of in-person meetings" indicating that Trump associates may have coordinated with "suspected Russian operatives" to release information damaging to the Hillary Clinton campaign.[73]

2017

By August 3, 2017, Mueller had impaneled a grand jury in the District of Columbia that issued subpoenas concerning the meeting.[74] The Financial Times reported on August 31 that Akhmetshin had given sworn testimony to Mueller's grand jury.[75]

CNN reported on September 19, 2017, that Manafort had been a target of a FISA wiretap both before and after the 2016 election, extending into early 2017. Some of the intercepted communications caused concerns among investigators that Manafort had solicited assistance from Russians for the campaign, although the evidence was reportedly inconclusive. The wiretaps began sometime after Manafort became a subject of an FBI investigation into his business practices in 2014. The Mueller investigation was provided details of these intercepts.[76]

Mueller is investigating ties between the Trump campaign and Republican activist Peter W. Smith, who stated that he tried to obtain Hillary Clinton's emails from Russian hackers, and that he was acting on behalf of Michael Flynn and other senior Trump campaign members. Trump campaign officials have denied that Smith was working with them.[77] In fall 2017, Mueller's team interviewed former Government Communications Headquarters cybersecurity researcher Matt Tait, who had been approached by Smith to verify the authenticity of emails allegedly hacked from Clinton's private email server.[78] Tait reportedly told House Intelligence Committee investigators in October 2017 that he believed Smith had ties to members of Trump's inner circle—including Flynn, Steve Bannon, and Kellyanne Conway—and may have been helping build opposition research for the Trump campaign.[79] Smith committed suicide in May 2017, several days after talking to The Wall Street Journal about his alleged efforts. Aged 81 and reportedly in failing health, he left a carefully prepared file of documents, including a statement police called a suicide note.[80] An attorney for Smith's estate said in October 2017 that some of Smith's documents had been turned over to the Senate Intelligence Committee.[81] The Wall Street Journal reported on October 7, 2018, that Smith had raised at least $100,000 from donors in his pursuit of the Clinton emails, that his estate had provided documents to the Mueller investigation, and that associates of Smith had been questioned by Mueller's investigators or a grand jury.[82] The Wall Street Journal reported on October 10, 2018, that Smith had established a "professional relationship" with Flynn as early as 2015, and during the campaign was using Flynn's contacts to assist with his search for the Clinton emails.[83] The Journal reported on October 19, 2018, that the Mueller investigation has evidence Smith may have had prior knowledge of the Guccifer 2.0 hacks.[84] The Mueller report later confirmed significant aspects of Smith's efforts to locate the Clinton emails, including his communications about it with Flynn and campaign co-chair Sam Clovis, as well as Flynn's actions to spearhead the effort at Trump's repeated requests.[85] In May 2019, an unredacted version of a December 2018 government sentencing memo for Flynn showed he had advised investigators that members of the Trump campaign had discussed whether to contact WikiLeaks about the release of emails.[86] [87]

In December 2017, it was reported that the Mueller investigation was examining whether the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, who worked together on the digital arm of Trump's campaign, provided assistance to Russian trolls attempting to influence voters.[88] [89]

2018

Yahoo News reported that Mueller's team was examining whether the joint RNC–Trump campaign data operation—which was directed on Trump's side by Brad Parscale and managed by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner—was related to the activities of Russian trolls and bots aimed at influencing the U.S. electorate.[90] Also that month, the Democratic ranking members of the House Oversight and Judiciary committees asked their respective Republican chairmen to subpoena two of the data firms hired by Trump's campaign for documents related to Russia's election interference, including the firm headed by Parscale.[91] [92] On February 27, 2018, Trump selected Parscale to serve as campaign manager on his 2020 reelection campaign.[93] NBC News reported on February 28, 2018, that Mueller's investigators asked witnesses pointed questions about whether Trump was aware that Democratic emails had been stolen before that was publicly known, and whether he was involved in their strategic release. This is the first reported indication that Mueller's investigation is specifically examining whether Trump was personally involved in collusive activities.[94] Mueller's investigators also asked about the relationship between Roger Stone and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and why Trump took policy positions favorable to Russia. Stone, a longtime Republican "dirty trickster" and Trump confidant[95] repeatedly discussed his backchannel communications with Assange and claimed knowledge of forthcoming leaks from Wikileaks.[96] He also exchanged Twitter private messages with Guccifer 2.0, which American intelligence connected to two Russian intelligence groups that cybersecurity analysts have concluded hacked Democratic National Committee emails.[97] The New York Times reported on November 1, 2018, that Stone and Steve Bannon exchanged emails in October 2016 about Assange's intent to release documents, and that Bannon and other former senior Trump campaign officials told Mueller's investigators of Stone's assertions that he was a conduit to Wikileaks and seemed aware of imminent document releases, although the "top tier" of the campaign was skeptical of Stone's claims.[98] Reuters reported on May 16, 2018, that Mueller's office subpoenaed Stone's social media strategist, Jason Sullivan, the prior week to testify before a grand jury on May 18 and to provide documents, objects and electronically stored information.[99] Reuters reported the next day that John Kakanis, Stone's driver, accountant and operative, was also subpoenaed.[100]

Investigators also focused on Trump's public comments in July 2016 asking Russia to find emails that were deleted from Hillary Clinton's private email server. At a news conference on July 27, 2016, days after WikiLeaks began publishing the Democratic National Committee emails, Trump said, "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing."[101] The July 13, 2018, indictment of 12 Russian GRU agents described

After a "testy March 5 meeting, Mueller's team agreed to provide the president's lawyers with more specific information about the subjects that prosecutors wished to discuss with the president". Then Jay Sekulow "compiled a list of 49 questions that the team believed the president would be asked... The New York Times first reported the existence of the list."[102]

On April 30, 2018, The New York Times published a list of interview questions for Trump that the Mueller investigation had provided to the president's attorneys. The list was provided to The Times by an individual outside Trump's legal team. Among the questions was, "What knowledge did you have of any outreach by your campaign, including by Paul Manafort, to Russia about potential assistance to the campaign?" Before this disclosure, there had been no publicly available information indicating any such outreach. The Times noted that the questions were not quoted verbatim and in some cases were condensed.[103] Written responses to some of the questions were provided to the Mueller investigation on November 20, 2018.[104]

The New York Times reported on May 15, 2018, that Trump campaign policy aide and later White House Deputy Cabinet Secretary John Mashburn testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee in March 2018 that he recalled receiving an email from George Papadopoulos in the first half of 2016 indicating that the Russian government had damaging information about Hillary Clinton. Before this report, there had been no publicly available information indicating that Papadopoulos had informed anyone on the Trump campaign about such matters. Despite an extensive search for the purported email by various investigators, it has not been located.[105] A court document[106] Mueller's office filed in association with Papadopoulos's guilty plea included verbatim quotes from various emails Papadopoulos had sent or received, but the Mashburn email was not referenced in that document.

2019

On March 22, 2019, the Special Counsel submitted their report to Attorney General William Barr.[107] The investigation garnered 199 criminal charges, 37 indictments or guilty pleas, and 5 prison sentences.[108]

On March 24, 2019, Barr sent a four-page letter to Congress detailing the special counsel's findings. The letter was split into 2 sections: The first section discusses Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the second section details whether Trump obstructed justice.[109] [110]

Potential obstruction of justice

See also: Dismissal of James Comey. Shortly before firing him, Trump asked then-FBI Director James Comey to drop the investigation into a member of the Trump Campaign, former National Security Advisor Flynn.[111] In March, Trump reportedly discussed the FBI's Russia investigation with Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and then CIA Director Mike Pompeo (who is currently serving as Secretary of State as of April 26, 2018), and asked if they could intervene with Comey to limit or stop it.[112] When he was asked at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about the report, Coats said he would not discuss conversations he had with the president but "I have never felt pressured to intervene in the Russia investigation in any way."[113] Before being appointed Director of National Intelligence by Trump, Coats had been an elected Republican politician since 1981, serving in both the House and Senate.[114]

In a May 2017 interview with NBC News anchorman Lester Holt, Trump stated he was thinking of "this Russia thing" when he decided to fire FBI Director James Comey.[115] Trump's statement raised concerns of potential obstruction of justice. In May 2018 Trump denied firing Comey because of the Russia investigation.[116] In August 2018 Trump tweeted that "Holt got caught fudging my tape on Russia", followed by his attorney Jay Sekulow asserting in September 2018 that NBC had edited the Trump interview.[117] [118] Neither Trump nor Sekulow produced evidence that the tape had been modified.

In February 2017, it was reported that White House officials had asked the FBI to issue a statement that there had been no contact between Trump associates and Russian intelligence sources during the 2016 campaign. The FBI did not make the requested statement, and observers noted that the request violated established procedures about contact between the White House and the FBI regarding pending investigations.[119] After Comey revealed in March that the FBI was investigating the possibility of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, Trump phoned Coats and Director of National Security Admiral Michael S. Rogers and asked them to publicly state there was no evidence of collusion between his campaign and the Russians.[120] [121] Both Coats and Rogers believed that the request was inappropriate, though not illegal, and did not make the requested statement. The two exchanged notes about the incident, and Rogers made a contemporary memo to document the request. The White House effort to push back publicly on the Russia probe reportedly also included requests to senior lawmakers with access to classified intelligence about Russia, including Senator Richard Burr and Representative Devin Nunes, the chairmen of the Senate and House intelligence committees, respectively.[122] In May 2017, it was reported that Comey took contemporaneous notes immediately after an Oval Office conversation with Trump on February 14, 2017, in which Trump is described as attempting to persuade Comey to drop the FBI investigation into Flynn.[123] [124] The memo notes that Trump said, "I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go." Comey made no commitments to Trump on the subject. The White House denied the version of events in the memo, but an FBI agent's contemporaneous notes are widely held up in court as credible evidence of conversations.[125] In testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 8, Comey gave a detailed report on the February 14 conversation, including Trump's suggestion that he should "let go" the Flynn investigation. Comey said he "took it as a direction… I took it as, this is what he wants me to do." He added that it was "a very disturbing thing, very concerning", and that he discussed the incident with other FBI leaders, including whether an obstruction of justice investigation should be opened.[126] [127] Comey created similar memos about all nine conversations he had with the president.[128] Mueller's office has the Comey memos, but on February 2, 2018, a federal judge denied multiple Freedom of Information Act requests to make the documents public, at least for now.[129]

The FBI launched an investigation of Trump for obstruction of justice a few days after the May 9 firing of Comey. The special prosecutor's office took over the obstruction of justice investigation and has reportedly interviewed Director of National Intelligence Coats, Director of the National Security Agency Rogers, and Deputy Director of the NSA Richard Ledgett.[130] [131] [132] ABC News reported in June that Mueller was gathering preliminary information about possible obstruction of justice, but a full-scale investigation had not been launched.[133] On June 16, Trump tweeted: "I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt."[134] However, Trump's lawyer Jay Sekulow said Trump's tweet was referring to the June 14 Washington Post report that he was under investigation for obstruction of justice, and that Trump has not actually been notified of any investigation.[135] [136]

The New York Times and Los Angeles Times reported on September 20, 2017, that Mueller's office had requested information from the White House regarding an Oval Office meeting President Trump had with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on May 10, 2017, during which Trump reportedly said that firing Comey had relieved "great pressure" on him.[137] [138] [139]

On January 23, 2018, The Washington Post reported that Robert Mueller sought to question President Donald Trump about the Flynn and Comey departures.[140]

The Washington Post also reported on January 23, 2018, that Mueller's office is interested in a May 2017 Oval Office conversation between Trump and Andrew McCabe, days after McCabe had automatically become acting director of the FBI when Trump dismissed Comey, allegedly for not pledging loyalty to the president. During this conversation, Trump reportedly asked McCabe for whom he had voted in the 2016 presidential election. McCabe, a lifelong Republican,[141] replied that he had not voted in that election.[142] On January 24, 2018, Trump denied—or did not remember—asking McCabe about his vote.[143] Like Comey, McCabe also took contemporaneous notes of his conversations with Trump, which are reportedly now in the possession of Mueller's office.[144]

The New York Times reported on January 23, 2018, that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was questioned the preceding week by Mueller's investigators.[145] Trump previously expressed frustration that Sessions had recused himself from the investigation and not prevented a Special Counsel from being appointed, stating that he would not have appointed Sessions had he known that would happen.[146] Multiple episodes have been reported in which Trump has threatened to dismiss Sessions, or Sessions has tendered his resignation.[147] [148] The Washington Post reported on February 28, 2018, that the Mueller investigation has been examining a period of time during the summer of 2017 when Trump seemed determined to drive Sessions from his job, to determine "whether those efforts were part of a months-long pattern of attempted obstruction of justice".[149] Sessions' departure would allow Trump to appoint another attorney general who is not restrained by recusal. The New York Times reported on May 29, 2018, that the Mueller investigation is examining a previously unreported March 2017 episode when Trump attempted to persuade Sessions to reverse his recusal, suggesting that the investigation into possible obstruction of justice was broader than previously understood. The questions Mueller's office had previously provided Trump's attorneys for an interview with the president included, "What efforts did you make to try to get [Sessions] to change his mind [about recusal]?"[150] [151]

USA Today and The New York Times reported on January 31, 2018, that Mueller's office is expected to question Mark Corallo, the former spokesman for President Trump's legal team, about his reported concerns that the president and his longtime aide Hope Hicks might have sought to obstruct justice. Corallo reportedly plans to tell investigators that Hicks told President Trump on a conference call that the Trump Jr. emails regarding his meeting with Russians "will never get out". Hicks' attorney denied the allegation.[152] [153] Mueller's investigators reportedly interviewed Hicks in early December 2017.[154] Corallo had resigned from the Trump team in July 2017, reportedly because he became concerned that the president had obstructed justice.[155]

Bloomberg News reported on March 12, 2018, that the obstruction of justice aspect of the investigation is near completion and that Mueller may set it aside to conclude other aspects, such as collusion and hacking.[156] The New York Times reported on March 28, 2018, that in 2017, as the Mueller investigation was building its cases against Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort, former Trump attorney John M. Dowd broached the idea of presidential pardons of the men with their attorneys. The Times reported this might have indicated concerns by Trump's legal team about what the men might reveal to investigators if they agreed to cooperate with the investigation in exchange for leniency. Although legal opinions vary as to whether this discussion alone would constitute obstruction of justice, prosecutors might present it as part of a pattern of activity that points to a conspiracy to thwart the investigation.[157] CBS News reported on March 28, 2018, that Manafort is declining a plea deal and proceeding to trial because he is expecting a pardon from Trump, citing "legal sources with knowledge of his strategy".[158] In May 2019, an unredacted version of a December 2018 government sentencing memo for Flynn showed that he advised investigators that both before and after his guilty plea "he or his attorneys received communications from persons connected to the Administration or Congress that could have affected both his willingness to cooperate and the completeness of that cooperation."

In a January 2018 letter to Mueller, Trump's attorneys asserted that Trump cannot unlawfully obstruct justice because the Constitution grants him full authority over all federal investigations and he can "if he wished, terminate the inquiry, or even exercise his power to pardon".[159] [160]

Trump requested and received the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions the day after the 2018 midterm elections, following months of criticizing Sessions for recusing himself from overseeing the Mueller investigation, stating in July 2017, "if he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me before he took the job and I would have picked somebody else."[161] Trump appointed Matthew Whitaker, Sessions' chief of staff since September 2017, as Acting Attorney General. While Whitaker was Sessions' chief of staff, White House chief of staff John Kelly described him as the West Wing's "eyes and ears" in the DOJ, which Trump considered hostile to him.[162] Prior to joining the Justice Department, Whitaker had publicly criticized the Mueller investigation on several occasions, asserting it was "going too far", referring to it as a "lynch mob", and suggested it could be impeded by cutting its budget.[163] Trump had seen Whitaker's supportive commentaries on CNN during the summer of 2017 and that July Whitaker was interviewed by White House counsel Don McGahn to join the Trump legal team as an "attack dog" against Mueller.[164] During an interview with The Daily Caller on November 14, 2018, Trump was asked who he might be considering to assume the permanent attorney general position, mentioning Whitaker. Unprompted, Trump stated, "as far as I'm concerned this is an investigation that should have never been brought...It's an illegal investigation".[165]

Days after Whitaker's appointment, Jerry Nadler, the incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, asserted that Whitaker's appointment was "part of a pattern of obstruction" of the Mueller investigation and that Whitaker would be the first witness called to testify before the Committee.[166] In an interview aired on November 18, 2018, Trump asserted he was unaware of Whitaker's previous criticisms of the Mueller investigation, later referring to one of Whitaker's previous statements, saying "There is no collusion, he happened to be right." Trump added, "I think he's very well aware politically. I think he's astute politically ... He's going to do what's right."[167]

According to a letter from Trump-appointed Attorney General William Barr, no conclusion was reached in the Mueller Report on whether or not Trump obstructed justice. As of March 24, 2019, the report itself has yet to be released.

In May 2019, an unredacted version of a December 2018 government sentencing memo for Flynn showed that he advised investigators of discussions within the Trump campaign involving “potential efforts to interfere with the [special counsel's] investigation.”

Financial investigations

The Special Counsel investigation expanded to include Trump's and his associates' financial ties to Russia. The FBI is reviewing the financial records of Trump himself, The Trump Organization, Trump's family members, and his campaign staff, including Trump's real estate activities, which had been under federal scrutiny before the campaign. According to CNN, financial crimes may be easier for investigators to prove than any crimes stemming directly from collusion with Russia.[168] Campaign staff whose finances are under investigation include Manafort, Flynn, Carter Page, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. At a New York real estate conference in September 2008, Donald Trump Jr. stated: "And in terms of high-end product influx into the US, Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets; say in Dubai, and certainly with our project in SoHo and anywhere in New York. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."[169] [170] McClatchy reported on April 6, 2018, that Mueller's investigators that week arrived unannounced at the home of an unnamed business associate of the Trump Organization who had worked on foreign deals for the company in recent years. The investigators had warrants for electronic records and to compel sworn testimony, and were reported to be particularly interested in transactions involving Trump's attorney Michael Cohen.[171]

Transactions under investigation include Russian purchases of Trump apartments, a SoHo development with Russian associates, the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, transactions with the Bank of Cyprus, real estate financing organized by Kushner, and Trump's sale of a Florida mansion for $30 million over its appraised value to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev.[172] [173] The special counsel team has contacted Deutsche Bank, which is the main banking institution doing business with The Trump Organization.[174] The Wall Street Journal reported on December 6, 2017, that Deutsche Bank received a subpoena from Mueller's office earlier that fall concerning people or entities affiliated with President Trump.[175] The original Journal story incorrectly reported that Trump's records had been subpoenaed, which The New York Times reported on April 10, 2018 prompted Trump to tell his advisers "in no uncertain terms" that the Mueller investigation must be shut down, before Mueller's office advised his attorneys the report was inaccurate.[176] Kushner Properties—from which Jared Kushner resigned as CEO in early 2017 to serve as a senior advisor in the Trump White House—purchased the office tower located at 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in 2007, just before Manhattan real estate prices fell in the Great Recession. The property has since experienced financial difficulties that the company has been attempting to resolve with new financing, without success, before the property's $1.2 billion mortgage comes due in February 2019. This effort has reportedly been complicated by Trump's election, which has caused potential lenders to avoid appearances of conflicts of interest.[177] The matter has raised the interest of investigators who are looking at Kushner's December 2016 meeting with Sergei Gorkov, who said in a statement issued by his bank that he met with Kushner in his capacity as the then-chief executive of Kushner Properties,[178] while Kushner assured Congress in a July 24, 2017, statement that the meeting did not involve "any discussion about my companies, business transactions, real estate projects, loans, banking arrangements or any private business of any kind". CNN reported on February 20, 2018, that Mueller's investigation has expanded beyond Kushner's contacts with Russia and now includes his efforts to secure financing for Kushner Properties from other foreign investors during the presidential transition.[179] Kushner Properties sold the 666 Fifth Avenue building in summer 2018.[180]

Mueller took over an existing money laundering investigation into former Trump campaign chairman Manafort. On October 30, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Manafort and his associate Rick Gates on charges including conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts, being an unregistered agent of foreign principal, false and misleading FARA statements, and false statements.[181] Manafort's financial activities are also being investigated by the Senate and House intelligence committees, the New York Attorney General, and the Manhattan District Attorney.[182]

The Special Counsel will be able to access Trump's tax returns, which has "especially disturbed" Trump according to The Washington Post. Trump's refusal to release his tax returns, as presidential candidates normally do, has been politically controversial since his presidential campaign.[183]

The Special Counsel is also investigating whether the Central Bank of Russia's deputy governor, Aleksandr Torshin, illegally funneled money through the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) to benefit Trump's campaign. On May 16, 2018, the Senate Judiciary Committee released a report[184] stating it had obtained "a number of documents that suggest the Kremlin used the NRA as a means of accessing and assisting Mr. Trump and his campaign" through Torshin and his assistant Mariia Butina, and that "The Kremlin may also have used the NRA to secretly fund Mr. Trump's campaign."[185] The NRA reported spending $30 million to support the Trump campaign—triple what they devoted to backing Republican Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential race. Most of that money was spent by an arm of the NRA that is not required to disclose its donors. Torshin, a lifetime NRA member, reportedly sought to broker a meeting between Trump and Vladimir Putin in May 2016, but was rebuffed by Kushner. Torshin claims to have met with Trump at a Nashville NRA event in April 2015; he tweeted about the encounter in August, saying that Trump is "a proponent of traditional family values".[186] Torshin spoke with Donald Trump Jr. during a gala event at the NRA's national gathering in Kentucky in May 2016, which Trump Jr.'s attorney Alan Futerfas characterized as "all gun-related small talk". Spanish authorities have implicated Torshin in money laundering and have described him as a "godfather" in Taganskaya, a major Russian criminal organization.[187] [188] On July 14, 2018, Butina was charged by the national security unit of the Justice Department with being an unregistered Russian agent who had attempted to create a backchannel of communications between American Republicans/conservatives and Russian officials by infiltrating the NRA, the National Prayer Breakfast and conservative religious organizations.[189] [190] [191] [192] On December 13, 2018, she pleaded guilty to conspiring with Torshin in this effort.[193] The New York Times reported on July 17, 2018, that Torshin was scheduled to visit the White House in 2017, but the meeting was canceled after a national security aide noted Torshin was under investigation by Spanish authorities for money laundering.[194]

CNN reported on April 4, 2018, that Mueller's investigators have been examining whether Russian oligarchs directly or indirectly provided illegal cash donations to the Trump campaign and inauguration. Investigators were examining whether oligarchs invested in American companies or think tanks having political action committees connected to the campaign, as well as money funneled through American straw donors to the Trump campaign and inaugural fund. At least one oligarch was detained and his electronic devices searched as he arrived at a New York area airport on his private jet in early 2018; subsequent reporting by The New York Times identified the man as Viktor Vekselberg.[195] [196] Vekselberg was questioned about hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments made to Michael Cohen after the election, through Columbus Nova, the American affiliate of Vekselberg's Renova Group.[197] Another oligarch was also detained on a recent trip to the United States, but it is unclear if he was searched. Investigators reportedly have also asked a third oligarch who has not traveled to the United States to voluntarily provide documents and an interview.[198]

The New York Times reported on April 9, 2018, that the Mueller investigation is examining a $150,000 donation Victor Pinchuk, a Ukrainian billionaire, made in September 2015 to the Donald J. Trump Foundation in exchange for a 20-minute appearance Trump made via video link to a conference in Kyiv. This transaction came to light in documents the Trump Organization provided to investigators pursuant to a subpoena earlier in 2018. The donation, the largest the Foundation received in 2015 other than from Trump himself, was solicited by his attorney, Michael Cohen. The Times reported that the subpoena had demanded "documents, emails and other communications about several Russians, including some whose names have not been publicly tied to Mr. Trump".[199]

Documents acquired by The New York Times in March 2019 showed that search warrants for Michael Cohen's emails were obtained by Mueller investigators in July 2017, with one warrant referencing a scheme "to make an illegal campaign contribution in October 2016 to then-presidential candidate Donald Trump". Nineteen pages of the documents relating to an "illegal campaign contribution scheme" were fully redacted.[200] [201]

Cohen raids

On April 9, 2018, based on a referral to United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) from the special counsel, the FBI raided the New York City office, residence, hotel suite, and safe-deposit boxes of Michael Cohen, seizing records related to several topics.[202] The FBI seized Cohen's computers, phones, and personal financial records, including tax returns, as part of the no-knock raid on his office in 30 Rockefeller Plaza.[203] CNN cited unnamed sources saying the search warrant was "very broad in terms of items sought" and that it included bank records.[204]

The warrant was personally approved by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and carried out by the public corruption unit of the SDNY. Geoffrey Berman, the interim head of the SDNY, was recused from the matter; a Trump appointee, he had worked as a volunteer attorney on the Trump campaign.[205] Further, due to the sensitive nature of the raid and the attorney–client privilege, a special "taint" team is required to review the documents to carefully separate out privileged and protected documents that may have been seized in the raid to ensure those inadmissible documents are not passed on to investigators. Legal blogger and former federal prosecutor Ken White of Popehat published a New York Times op-ed giving some background on the DOJ procedures required to approve such a raid, saying the search "suggests that the prosecutors believe they can convince a judge that communications between Mr. Trump and Mr. Cohen fall under the crime-fraud exception" of attorney-client privilege. It called the raid "highly dangerous" for both Cohen and Trump.[206] White posted further analysis on Popehat,[207] citing section 9-13.320 [''sic''] [''[[recte]] 9-13.420] of the United States Attorneys' Manual, which sets the guidelines and regulations for searches of attorney premises.[208]

Lobbyists

In August 2017, Mueller's team issued grand jury subpoenas to officials in six firms, including lobbying firm Podesta Group and Mercury LLC with regard to activities on behalf of a public-relations campaign for a pro-Russian Ukrainian organization called European Centre for a Modern Ukraine. The public relations effort was headed by Paul Manafort, and took place from 2012 to 2014.[209] [210] [211] [212] The Podesta Group is run by Tony Podesta, and Mercury LLC is headed by Vin Weber, a former GOP congressman.[213] Mueller is investigating whether the firms violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The Podesta Group announced in November 2017 that it would be permanently closing, with many of its employees moving to Cogent Strategies, a new firm founded by Podesta Group CEO Kimberley Fritts.[214] Mueller's office later referred the matter to other federal investigators, who closed it in September 2019 without charges against Podesta or Weber.[215]

Trump as a subject of investigation

From the beginning of his presidency Trump had requested assurances that he was not personally under investigation. FBI Director Comey told him so privately on three occasions but refused to make a public comment to that effect.[216] In his letter dismissing Comey, Trump thanked Comey for "informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation".[217] Comey later confirmed that this was true.[218]

In March 2018, Mueller's office reportedly informed Trump's attorneys that the president is not a "criminal target" but remains a "subject" of the continuing investigation. Trump's advisers were reported to be split in their interpretation of this, with some believing it was an indication that his legal exposure was low, while others expressed concern that Mueller was inducing him to agree to a personal interview, which his attorneys have discouraged him from doing for fear he might perjure himself and thus change his status from subject to target. The Post reported that Mueller also advised the attorneys that he is "preparing a report about the president's actions while in office and potential obstruction of justice".[219] The Post referenced Justice Department guidelines,[220] which explain:

Trump told reporters on January 24, 2018, that he was "looking forward" to testifying under oath to the Mueller investigation, perhaps in "two or three weeks", but added that it was "subject to my lawyers and all of that".[221] The Wall Street Journal reported on February 25, 2018, that Trump's lawyers are considering ways for him to testify, provided the questions he faces are limited in scope and do not test his recollections in ways that amount to a potential perjury trap. Among options they are considering are providing written answers to Mueller's questions and having the president give limited face-to-face testimony.[222] The Washington Post reported on March 19, 2018, that Trump's attorneys provided Mueller's office "written descriptions that chronicle key moments under investigation in hopes of curtailing the scope of a presidential interview."[223] In May 2018, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani told Politico that Mueller's team has rejected the proposal of providing a written testimony instead of an oral interview.[224] Trump ultimately was not personally interviewed by the special counsel.[225] In November 2018 he said he was preparing written answers to a set of questions, and in late November his legal team said he had submitted answers to the counsel's written questions about "issues regarding the Russia-related topics of the inquiry."[226]

Other topics

The Intercept reported on March 2, 2018, that Jared Kushner and his father Charles Kushner made a proposal to Qatar's finance minister, Ali Sharif Al Emadi, in April 2017 to secure investment into 666 5th Avenue asset in his family's company's portfolio, when his request was not fulfilled, a group of Middle Eastern countries, with Jared Kushner's backing, initiated a diplomatic assault that culminated in a blockade of Qatar. Kushner specifically undermined the efforts by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to bring an end to the standoff.[227]

The New York Times reported on March 3, 2018, that the Mueller investigation had been examining possible efforts by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to buy political influence by directing money to the Trump campaign. Investigators had recently interviewed Lebanese-American businessman George Nader, and other witnesses, about this matter. Nader was reportedly a frequent White House visitor during 2017 and investigators have inquired about any policymaking role he may have had.[228] Investigators have examined a meeting around January 11, 2017, in the Seychelles that was convened by the UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (known as "MBZ"), which Nader attended. Also present at that meeting were Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of state-owned Russian Direct Investment Fund, who is close to Vladimir Putin; and Blackwater founder Erik Prince, a major Trump donor and an informal advisor to the Trump transition. UAE officials reportedly believed that Prince was representing the Trump transition and Dmitriev was representing Putin.[229] The Mueller report later found that Nader had represented Prince to Dmitriev as "designated by Steve [Bannon] to meet you! I know him and he is very very well connected and trusted by the New Team," while Prince "acknowledged that it was fair for Nader to think that Prince would pass information on to the Transition Team," although Bannon told investigators that Prince had not informed him of the Dmitriev meeting in advance. Prince testified to the House Intelligence Committee that "I didn't fly there to meet any Russian guy," although the Mueller report found that he and Nader made significant preparations to meet Dmitriev. Although Prince characterized a second meeting between him and Dmitriev in a hotel bar as a chance encounter of no consequence, the meeting was actually pre-arranged after Prince had learned from calls back home that Russia had moved an aircraft carrier off Libya and he wanted to convey that the United States would not accept any Russian involvement in Libya.[230] [231]

An aircraft owned by Andrei Skoch—a Russian billionaire subject to U.S. sanctions—arrived in the Seychelles a day before Prince himself did.[232] The Washington Post had reported on April 3, 2017, that American, European and Arab officials said the Seychelles meeting was "part of an apparent effort to establish a back-channel line of communication between Moscow and President-elect Donald Trump". Prince denied in November 30, 2017, House Intelligence Committee testimony that he had represented the Trump transition or that the meeting involved any back-channel.[233] [234] The Washington Post reported on March 7, 2018, that Mueller has gathered evidence that contradicts Prince,[235] and ABC News reported on April 6, 2018, that Nader had met with Prince at a Manhattan hotel days before the Seychelles meeting and later provided him with biographical information about Dmitriev.[236] CNN reported on March 6, 2018, that Nader had been detained and questioned by the FBI at Dulles International Airport as he returned from a trip abroad on January 17, 2018.[237]

Agents with search warrants copied the contents of Nader's electronic devices and served him with a subpoena to appear before a grand jury on January 19. CNN also reported that Nader had attended a December 2016 meeting in New York attended by MBZ; UAE ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba; and at least three Trump senior associates: Michael Flynn, Steve Bannon, and Jared Kushner.[238] The Wall Street Journal reported on April 2, 2018, that Mueller's investigators have inquired about the work done by a private consulting company, Wikistrat, on behalf of the UAE. One of the firm's co-founders, Joel Zamel, has reportedly been asked about his work with certain clients and his business relationship with George Nader. The Journal reported that, like Nader, Zamel had tried to forge a relationship with the new Trump administration.[239]

The New York Times reported on April 4, 2018, that Nader has a history of dealings with Russia dating back to at least 2012, when he brokered a $4.2 billion arms deal between Russia and Iraq, and attended an invitation-only conference in Moscow organized by close associates of Vladimir Putin. Nader has reportedly traveled frequently to Russia on behalf of the UAE, accompanying MBZ on many of those trips, and has had his photo taken with Putin. Nader has reportedly received at least partial immunity for his cooperation with the Mueller investigation. The Times also reported that Joel Zamel had been stopped at Reagan International Airport in February 2018, had his electronic devices briefly seized, and later testified before the Mueller grand jury about his relationship with Nader.[240] The New York Times reported on May 19, 2018, that Trump Jr. met with Nader, Prince and Zamel in Trump Tower on August 3, 2016. Nader reportedly told Trump Jr. the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the UAE were eager to help his father win the election. According to Trump Jr.'s attorney Alan Futerfas, Zamel pitched a social media manipulation campaign from his Israeli company Psy-Group, although Zamel's attorney Marc Saroff Mukasey denied this. Trump Jr. reportedly responded favorably according to one source, although Futerfas denied this. Nader subsequently had frequent meetings with Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn and Jared Kushner. After Trump's election, Nader paid Zamel a large sum of money of up to $2 million.[241] The Times reported that Prince had arranged the August 2016 meeting; Prince had stated in his November 30, 2017, testimony to the House Intelligence Committee that he had no formal communications or contact, nor any unofficial role, with the Trump campaign.[242] The Times reported on October 8, 2018, that sometime after March 2016 Rick Gates had solicited Psy-Group to present proposals for social media manipulation and opposition research against Trump's primary opponents and Hillary Clinton. Gates reportedly was uninterested in the Psy-Group proposals, as social media strategy was being developed inside the Trump campaign, and there is no evidence the Trump campaign pursued the Psy-Group proposals. The Mueller investigation obtained copies of the proposals and questioned Psy-Group employees.[243]

Axios reported on March 4, 2018, that it had seen a grand jury subpoena that Mueller's office sent to a witness in February 2018. Axios did not name the witness. The subpoena reportedly demands all communications, from November 1, 2015, to date, that the witness sent or received "regarding" Trump; Carter Page; Corey Lewandowski; Hope Hicks; Keith Schiller; Michael Cohen; Paul Manafort; Rick Gates; Roger Stone; and Steve Bannon.[244] A subsequent report by NBC News stated that the subpoena also encompasses "work papers, telephone logs, and other documents".[245] On March 5, 2018, the witness was identified as Sam Nunberg, who served as a communications consultant on the Trump campaign until August 2, 2015, and later as an informal adviser. Nunberg stated that he had been subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury on March 9, 2018, but he would refuse to appear or provide any of the subpoenaed documents.[246] [247] After multiple defiant television appearances on March 5, 2018, Nunberg indicated the next day that he planned to comply with the subpoena.[248]

The New Yorker reported on March 5, 2018, that Christopher Steele spoke with Mueller's investigators in September 2017. The magazine asserted that Steele discussed another document he had authored in November 2016—after the Steele dossier—that describes discussions "a senior Russian official" had heard inside the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: that the Kremlin had asked Trump "through unspecified channels" to not appoint Mitt Romney as Secretary of State.[249] [250] As a presidential candidate in 2012, Romney described Russia as "our number one geopolitical foe".[251] After publicly considering Romney as Secretary of State, Trump ultimately selected Rex Tillerson, who has a long history of business dealings in Russia and was awarded the Order of Friendship by Vladimir Putin in 2013.[252] The Washington Post reported on March 6, 2018, that Mueller's office had requested documents and interviewed witnesses regarding activities of Michael Cohen, Trump's longtime personal lawyer. Investigators are reported to be interested in at least two episodes relating to Russian interests, including the proposed construction of Trump Tower Moscow and "a Russia-friendly peace proposal for Ukraine that was delivered to Cohen by a Ukrainian lawmaker one week after Trump took office".[253] The New York Times reported, on January 10, 2019, that Mueller investigators, and other federal prosecutors, were investigating the activities of over a dozen Russia-aligned Ukrainian political and business figures who attended the Trump inauguration, ostensibly promoting a pro-Russian "peace plan" for Ukraine that included the lifting of sanctions against Russia. Andrey Artemenko, a Ukrainian politician who attended the Trump inaugural, was interviewed by the FBI and the Mueller grand jury, having met, days after the inaugural, with Trump attorney Michael Cohen and former Trump business associate Felix Sater, in New York, to present a proposal. Cohen hand-delivered Artemenko's proposal to Michael Flynn one week before Flynn resigned as national security advisor.[254]

The New York Times reported on March 7, 2018, that the Mueller investigation is aware of conversations Trump had with two witnesses regarding their testimony with investigators. In one conversation, Trump asked White House counsel Don McGahn to issue a statement denying a story[255] The Times published in January 2018. That story reported that McGahn told investigators Trump had ordered him to direct the Justice Department to dismiss Mueller. McGahn never issued the statement and reportedly told Trump that the president had, in fact, told him to have Mueller dismissed. The New York Times reported on August 18, 2018, that McGahn had been cooperating extensively with the Mueller investigation for several months and that he and his lawyer had become concerned that Trump "had decided to let Mr. McGahn take the fall for decisions that could be construed as obstruction of justice, like the Comey firing, by telling the special counsel that he was only following shoddy legal advice from Mr. McGahn".[256] Trump also asked his former chief of staff Reince Priebus how his interview with investigators had gone and whether they were "nice". The Times reported that although "legal experts" thought the conversations probably did not constitute witness tampering, witnesses and attorneys who became aware of the conversations reported them to Mueller.[257]

The New York Times reported on March 15, 2018, that the Mueller investigation had subpoenaed documents from The Trump Organization, including all documents related to Russia. Although the full scope of the subpoena was not clear, it was the first known time investigators demanded documents from Trump's businesses.[258] The Los Angeles Times reported the same day that the special counsel's office had also subpoenaed the Trump campaign for documents.[259]

The Daily Beast reported on March 22, 2018, that Mueller had taken over the probe into Guccifer 2.0 from the FBI.[260]

NBC News reported on March 30, 2018, that Ted Malloch, a London-based American professor and author who worked with the Trump campaign, had been detained and questioned by the FBI two days earlier as he arrived at Boston Logan Airport after a flight from London. He was served with a subpoena to appear for questioning by Mueller's investigators on April 13, and presented with a warrant to have his phone seized and searched. Malloch told NBC in an email that FBI agents asked him a variety of questions, including about Roger Stone, author Jerome Corsi, and WikiLeaks.[261] CNN reported that Malloch has written a forthcoming book alleging a "deep state" within the United States government fabricated the Steele dossier to destroy Trump.[262] Corsi was subpoenaed for questioning by Mueller's investigators in September 2018, and by November he was facing perjury charges. That month, a draft court filing showed Corsi and Stone had exchanged emails in summer 2016 indicating their knowledge of impending email "dumps" by Wikileaks. In one email, Stone directed Corsi to contact Assange, which Corsi told investigators he had ignored, although investigators found he had passed the directive to an associate in London, whom Corsi later identified as Malloch.[263]

Michael R. Caputo, a former communications adviser for the Trump campaign, was interviewed by Mueller's investigators on May 2, 2018. Caputo was recruited to the Trump campaign by Paul Manafort and had previously worked with Russian politicians.[264] [265] A long-time associate of Roger Stone, Caputo stated after his interview, "It's clear they are still really focused on Russia collusion. They know more about the Trump campaign than anyone who ever worked there."[266]

CNN reported on May 5, 2018, that Mueller's investigators had interviewed Trump's close friend and inaugural committee chairman Tom Barrack in December 2017, asking him primarily about his relationship with Manafort and Gates, although The Associated Press reported the interview was broader and included campaign finance matters.[267] [268]

On May 9, 2018, CNBC reported that Mueller's office had contacted telecommunications giant AT&T regarding payments totalling at least $200,000, but possibly as high as $600,000,[269] made to a company founded by Michael Cohen in order to gain "insights" into the incoming Trump administration.[270] An AT&T spokesperson said that they had provided all the information requested by the Special Counsel in November and December 2017.[271]

Glenn R. Simpson, a co-founder of Fusion GPS, testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee on August 22, 2017, that the FBI told Christopher Steele—and then Steele told Simpson—that the FBI had "a human source from inside the Trump organization" (and, more specifically, "an internal Trump campaign source"). Simpson did not indicate when Steele received this information or when he conveyed it to Simpson.[272] The Washington Post reported on May 8, 2018, that a longtime FBI and CIA informant had provided information about connections between Russia and the Trump campaign to FBI investigators early in their investigation.[273] This sparked speculation that the FBI had planted a "mole" inside the Trump campaign, although it was not clear that the individual Simpson described was the same individual described by The Post. The Washington Post reported on May 9, 2018, that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes subpoenaed the Justice Department to provide him with all documents regarding the longtime informant; The Post quoted the subpoena as demanding "all documents referring or related to the individual referenced in Chairman Nunes' April 24, 2018, classified letter to Attorney General Sessions", although Nunes denied he had referred to any specific individual.[274] The Justice Department resisted on the grounds that revealing the information could endanger the life of a longtime top-secret informant for the FBI and CIA, and the Trump White House—with the president's agreement—sided with the Justice Department.[275] The New York Times reported on May 16, 2018, that at least one government informant had met several times with Trump campaign aides Carter Page and George Papadopoulos.[276]

The Washington Post noted on January 9, 2018, that the source Simpson had referred to may not necessarily have been an informant willingly or directly, or during the campaign, but rather may have become an informant as a result of later becoming implicated in wrongdoing. Natasha Bertrand, then with Business Insider, reported on January 3, 2018, that a source told her Simpson had been referring to George Papadopoulos, who had first been interviewed by the FBI seven days after Trump's inauguration and whose cooperation with the FBI—to "provide information regarding any and all matters as to which the Government deems relevant"—began with his arrest on July 27, 2017, and was not publicly known until his indictment in October 2017.[277] [278] [279] The New York Times reported on May 18, 2018, that the FBI sent an informant to meet with George Papadopoulos in late-summer 2016, and to meet repeatedly with Carter Page over ensuing months, after the FBI had acquired evidence that the two men had suspicious contacts with Russians.[280] The Washington Post reported the same day that the informant first approached Page at a symposium in Britain in July 2016, and in September 2016 invited Papadopoulos to London to work on a research paper. Late that summer, the informant also met with Trump campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis in Northern Virginia.[281] The informant was identified as an American academic who teaches in Britain, but both The Times and The Post declined to publish his name. NBC News identified him as Stefan Halper.[282]

The Washington Post reported on June 28, 2018, that the Mueller investigation, as well as British investigators, were examining relationships between the Brexit movement, Russia and the Trump campaign. The Post reported that Mueller's investigators had specifically asked two individuals, including former Trump communications official Michael Caputo, about relationships between Trump associates and Brexit leader Nigel Farage.[283] Ted Malloch, who had worked with the Trump campaign and was later questioned by Mueller investigators, was reportedly close to Farage.[284]

ABC News reported on September 20, 2018, that Michael Cohen had been interviewed by Mueller's investigators multiple times since he pleaded guilty to charges a month earlier. The interviews covered a broad range of topics, including Trump's business dealings with Russians, alleged collusion between Russians and the Trump campaign and whether Trump or his associates had discussed a pardon of Cohen with him.[285] [286]

In August 2018, a sealed court case was brought before Beryl Howell, the chief judge of the DC District Court, who oversees grand jury proceedings. The case bounced back and forth between Howell and the DC Circuit Court of Appeals over several weeks, as press speculation grew that the secret case was related to a witness challenging a Mueller subpoena. CNN reporters observed Mueller attorneys entering Howell's courtroom in September.[287] [288] CNN later confirmed that the case did involve a Mueller subpoena that was being challenged. The case was heard by a three-judge panel of the Circuit court on December 14, amid such secrecy that the entire fifth floor of the court building was cleared so reporters could not observe the proceedings or participants. Four days later, the judges ruled that the plaintiff, an unnamed foreign company, must comply with the subpoena.[289] The company appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court on December 22, although the Court is not known to hear cases that are completely sealed.[290] The Court denied the appeal on January 8, 2019.[291]

Thomas Barrack was arrested on 20 July 2021 on charges of illegally lobbying for the UAE government without registering himself as a lobbyist with the US State Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Tom, Donald Trump's former outside adviser and one of his 2016 campaign's top fundraisers, was arrested on a nine-count indictment for not registering as an agent for lobbying for the UAE government and obstruction of justice by lying to the investigators about it.[292] However, on 23 July 2021, Barrack posted bail worth $250 million followed by a security of $5 million in cash and claimed he will be proved innocent.[293] The case stemmed from Mueller probe, but was prosecuted by US attorney's office in Brooklyn. In November 2022, Barrack was found not guilty on all charges.[294]

The Justice Department disclosed in August 2021 that the investigation scrutinized an unnamed "member of the news media suspected of participating in the conspiracy" to hack and release Democratic emails. In 2018, Rosenstein authorized subpoenas for the individual's phone and email records and testimony before a grand jury, though it was not clear if the individual was actually called to testify. The Justice Department did not clarify whether the individual was a traditional journalist or a commentator on current events.[295]

Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal

See main article: Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal. The Wall Street Journal reported on December 15, 2017, that Mueller's office had requested and received employee emails from Cambridge Analytica, a data analytics firm that worked for the Trump campaign, earlier that year.[296] [297] The Associated Press reported on March 22, 2018, that the special counsel was examining the connections between the company, the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee, particularly how voter data may have been used in battleground states.[298] Ultimately, however, the final Mueller Report made no findings regarding Cambridge Analytica, and the name does not appear in the two volumes of the report.

Several news agencies reported on April 4, 2018, that the security of 87 million Facebook users' private data had been shared, without their consent, via Cambridge Analytica, influencing voters and helping Trump win the 2016 election.[299] [300] [301] The New York Times reported on May 15, 2018, that the Justice Department and FBI were investigating Cambridge Analytica, although it was unclear if Mueller's office was involved in the investigation.[302]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 28 CFR 600.4 – Jurisdiction . . . July 25, 2016 . February 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180227020642/https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/28/600.4 . February 27, 2018 . live .
  2. Web site: Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein. Rod J.. May 17, 2017. Order No. 3915-2017: Appointment of Special Counsel to Investigate Russian Interference with the 2016 Presidential Election and Related Matters. Office of the Deputy Attorney General. United States Department of Justice. Washington, D.C.. February 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180807044814/https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/967231/download. August 7, 2018. live.
  3. News: December 8, 2018 . House Judiciary Committee releases transcript of James Comey testimony . Grace . Segers . . December 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181209014640/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-judiciary-committee-releases-transcript-james-comey-testimony/ . December 9, 2018 . live .
  4. News: Eric . Tucker . Chad . Day . Mary Clare . Jalonick . Comey: FBI probe of Russia initially looked at 4 Americans . . December 8, 2018 . January 2, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190103005052/https://www.apnews.com/36f6c4231ad047418bcedb2c82e41069 . January 3, 2019 . live .
  5. News: Comey says FBI began investigation into Russia meddling in July . Wilber . Del Quentin . Del Quentin Wilber . Cloud . Davis S. . March 20, 2017 . . March 21, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170321005941/http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-comey-fbi-launched-investigation-into-1490023083-htmlstory.html . March 21, 2017 .
  6. News: Special Counsel Will Take Over FBI Russia Campaign Interference Investigation . . May 17, 2017 . Williams . Pete . Dilanian . Ken . May 17, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170517220336/http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/special-counsel-will-take-over-fbi-russia-campaign-interference-investigation-n761271 . May 17, 2017 .
  7. News: Jim . Finkle . Emily . Stephenson . 'Lone Hacker' Claims Responsibility for Cyber Attack on Democrats . . June 15, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160616082412/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-hack-idUSKCN0Z209Q . June 16, 2016 .
  8. News: June 16, 2016 . Dan . Goodin . "Guccifer" leak of DNC Trump research has a Russian's fingerprints on it. . July 26, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160725202746/http://arstechnica.com/security/2016/06/guccifer-leak-of-dnc-trump-research-has-a-russians-fingerprints-on-it/ . July 25, 2016 .
  9. News: New evidence proves Russian hackers were behind the hack on Podesta, connecting the dots on different parts of the complex hacking campaign. . October 20, 2016 . . Lorenzo . Franceschi-Bicchierai . July 9, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170713194522/https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/mg7xjb/how-hackers-broke-into-john-podesta-and-colin-powells-gmail-accounts . July 13, 2017 .
  10. News: Trolls for Trump – How Russia Dominates Your Twitter Feed to Promote Lies (And, Trump, Too) . August 6, 2016 . Weisburd . Andrew . Watts . Clint . Clint Watts . . November 24, 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161125174205/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/06/how-russia-dominates-your-twitter-feed-to-promote-lies-and-trump-too.html . November 25, 2016 .
  11. News: Mike. Levine. Pierre. Thomas. Russian Hackers Targeted Nearly Half of States' Voter Registration Systems, Successfully Infiltrated 4. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519145333/https://abcnews.go.com/US/russian-hackers-targeted-half-states-voter-registration-systems/story?id=42435822 . May 19, 2017 . ABC News. September 29, 2016.
  12. News: January 25, 2018 . Huib . Modderkolk. Dutch agencies provide crucial intel about Russia's interference in US-elections. De Volkskrant. July 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180730030813/https://www.volkskrant.nl/wetenschap/dutch-agencies-provide-crucial-intel-about-russia-s-interference-in-us-elections~b4f8111b/. July 30, 2018. live.
  13. News: July 16, 2018 . Leonid . Bershidsky. Russia Hacker Indictments Should Make the Kremlin Squirm. Bloomberg LP. July 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180730235001/https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-07-16/russia-hacker-indictments-should-make-the-kremlin-squirm. July 30, 2018. live.
  14. News: July 18, 2018 . David E. . Sanger . Matthew . Rosenberg . From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered. The New York Times. July 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180805210601/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/world/europe/trump-intelligence-russian-election-meddling-.html. August 5, 2018. live.
  15. News: Ken . Dilanian . William M. . Arkin . Julia . Ainsley . March 1, 2018 . Mueller eyes charges against Russians who hacked Democrats' emails. NBC News. March 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180301221628/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/mueller-eyes-charges-against-russians-who-stole-spread-democrats-emails-n852291. March 1, 2018. live.
  16. News: U.S. Indicts 12 Russian Agents in 2016 Election Hacking . Mark . Mazzetti . Katie . Benner . The New York Times. July 13, 2018 . July 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180905201625/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/13/us/politics/mueller-indictment-russian-intelligence-hacking.html . September 5, 2018 . live .
  17. News: Strohm . Chris . Mueller Probe Has 'Red-Hot' Focus on Social Media, Officials Say . September 18, 2017 . . September 13, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170917194043/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-13/mueller-probe-is-said-to-have-red-hot-focus-on-social-media . September 17, 2017 .
  18. News: Why a Facebook warrant could signal a turning point in Mueller's investigation . September 18, 2017 . . September 17, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170917224935/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-facebook-warrant-could-signal-a-turning-point-in-muellers-investigation/ . September 17, 2017 .
  19. News: February 14, 2018 . Trump still unconvinced Russia meddled in 2016 election. Sara. Murray. Jeremy. Herb. CNN. February 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228004358/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/13/politics/trump-unconvinced-russia-meddled-election/index.html. February 28, 2018. live.
  20. News: Murray . Stephanie . Putin: I wanted Trump to win the election . . July 16, 2018 . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20180716175034/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/16/putin-trump-win-election-2016-722486 . July 16, 2018 . live.
  21. News: Kevin . Johnson . Bart . Jansen . Kristine . Phillips . Mueller Report: Investigation finds no evidence of Russia conspiracy, leaves obstruction question open. USA Today. March 24, 2019. March 24, 2019.
  22. News: July 12, 2017 . Harris . Shane . Russian Officials Overheard Discussing Trump Associates Before Campaign Began . . July 12, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170712201735/https://www.wsj.com/article_email/russian-officials-overheard-discussing-trump-associates-before-campaign-began-1499890354-lMyQjAxMTI3MjE5MjExMzI0Wj/ . July 12, 2017 .
  23. News: Rosenberg . Matthew . Goldman . Adam . Adam Goldman . Schmidt . Michael S. . Michael S. Schmidt . Obama Administration Rushed to Preserve Intelligence of Russian Election Hacking . The New York Times. March 2, 2017 . A1 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170303043643/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/us/politics/obama-trump-russia-election-hacking.html . March 3, 2017 .
  24. News: Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts With Russian Intelligence . . Schmidt . Michael S. . Michael S. Schmidt . Mazzetti . Mark . Mark Mazzetti . Apuzzo . Matt . Matt Apuzzo . February 14, 2017 . March 2, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170302025649/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/us/politics/russia-intelligence-communications-trump.html . March 2, 2017 .
  25. News: Comey Disputes New York Times Article About Russia Investigation. Michael S.. Schmidt. Mark. Mazzetti. Matt. Apuzzo. The New York Times. June 8, 2017.
  26. Web site: Graham releases declassified docs on early months of Russia probe. POLITICO. July 17, 2020 .
  27. News: F.B.I. Agent in Russia Inquiry Saw Basis in Early 2017 to Doubt Dossier. Charlie. Savage. Adam. Goldman. The New York Times. July 17, 2020.
  28. News: Official: Flynn Discussed Sanctions With Russians Before Taking Office . Dilanian . Ken . February 10, 2017 . . March 2, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170302064420/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/official-flynn-discussed-sanctions-russians-taking-office-n719271 . March 2, 2017 .
  29. News: Flynn resigns amid controversy over Russia contacts . Murray . Sara . Borger . Gloria . Diamond . Jeremy . February 14, 2017 . . March 2, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170301195824/http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/13/politics/michael-flynn-white-house-national-security-adviser/ . March 1, 2017 .
  30. News: Kushner and Flynn Met With Russian Envoy in December, White House Says . Michael S. Schmidt. Michael S.. Schmidt . Matthew Rosenberg. Matthew. Rosenberg . Matt Apuzzo. Matt. Apuzzo . March 2, 2017 . The New York Times. March 3, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170303034557/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/us/politics/kushner-flynn-sessions-russia.html . March 3, 2017 .
  31. News: Russian ambassador told Moscow that Kushner wanted secret communications channel with Kremlin . The Washington Post. Nakashima. Ellen. Entous. Adam. Miller. Greg. May 26, 2017. May 27, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170527001215/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-ambassador-told-moscow-that-kushner-wanted-secret-communications-channel-with-kremlin/2017/05/26/520a14b4-422d-11e7-9869-bac8b446820a_story.html . May 27, 2017 .
  32. Web site: Announcement of Treasury Sanctions on Entities Within the Financial Services and Energy Sectors of Russia, Against Arms or Related Materiel Entities, and those Undermining Ukraine's Sovereignty. United States Department of the Treasury. July 15, 2014. March 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180308222536/https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl2572.aspx. March 8, 2018. live.
  33. News: Michael. Crowley. The Kremlin's Candidate: In the 2016 election, Putin's propaganda network is picking sides . https://web.archive.org/web/20160725180711/http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/04/donald-trump-2016-russia-today-rt-kremlin-media-vladimir-putin-213833 . live . July 25, 2016 . Politico. May–June 2016.
  34. News: Explanations for Kushner's meeting with head of Kremlin-linked bank don't match up . David . Filipov . Amy . Brittain . Rosalind S. . Helderman . Tom . Hamburger . June 1, 2017 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170615022243/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/explanations-for-kushners-meeting-with-head-of-kremlin-linked-bank-dont-match-up/2017/06/01/dd1bdbb0-460a-11e7-bcde-624ad94170ab_story.html . June 15, 2017 .
  35. News: March 2, 2017 . Trump business associate led double life as FBI informant – and more, he says. Joseph . Tanfani . David S. . Cloud . . May 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180510010807/http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-sater-trump-20170223-story.html . May 10, 2018. live.
  36. News: Apuzzo . Matt . Haberman . Maggie . August 28, 2017 . Trump Associate Boasted That Moscow Business Deal 'Will Get Donald Elected' . .
  37. News: Wolfe . Jan . March 22, 2019 . Why an unbuilt Moscow Trump tower caught Mueller's attention . .
  38. News: November 29, 2018 . Mark . Mazzetti . Benjamin . Weiser . Ben . Protess . Maggie . Haberman . Michael Cohen Admits Talks for Trump Over Moscow Tower Occurred Well Into Campaign . . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129153752/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/29/nyregion/michael-cohen-trump-russia-mueller.html . November 29, 2018 . live .
  39. News: Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Moscow project . . November 29, 2018 . December 26, 2018 . Devlin . Barrett . Matt . Zapotosky . Rosalind S. . Helderman .
  40. News: December 1, 2018 . Nathan . Layne . Ex-lawyer says he told Trump about Kremlin contact: court filing . . December 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181201193414/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia/ex-lawyer-says-he-told-trump-about-kremlin-contact-court-filing-idUSKCN1O03E0 . December 1, 2018 . live .
  41. News: March 12, 2018 . How A Player In The Trump–Russia Scandal Led A Double Life As An American Spy. Anthony . Cormier . Jason . Leopold. . April 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414134855/https://www.buzzfeed.com/anthonycormier/felix-sater-trump-russia-undercover-us-spy. April 14, 2018. live.
  42. News: April 13, 2018 . Jason . Leopold . Anthony . Cormier . Former Russian Spy Worked On Trump Moscow Deal While Trump Was Running For President. . April 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180413215850/https://www.buzzfeed.com/jasonleopold/donald-trump-russian-spy-moscow-gru-felix-sater. April 13, 2018. live.
  43. News: Matthew . Mosk . Brian . Ross . Memory Lapse? Trump Seeks Distance From 'Advisor' With Past Ties to Mafia . December 10, 2015 . ABC News . April 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180414092015/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/memory-lapse-trump-seeks-distance-advisor-past-ties/story?id=34600826 . April 14, 2018 . live .
  44. Who Is Felix Sater, and Why Is Donald Trump So Afraid of Him?. Bob. Dreyfuss. September 8, 2017. April 13, 2018. The Nation. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414093615/https://www.thenation.com/article/who-is-felix-sater-and-why-is-donald-trump-so-afraid-of-him/. April 14, 2018. live.
  45. News: Jeff . Horwitz . December 4, 2015 . Trump picked stock fraud felon as senior adviser . . April 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20151204141007/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/29c255c0b69a48258ecae69a61612537/trump-picked-stock-fraud-felon-senior-adviser . December 4, 2015 . dead.
  46. Web site: At least 16 Trump associates had contacts with Russians during campaign or transition | CNN Politics. Marshall. Cohen. December 10, 2018. CNN.
  47. News: Blake . Aaron . 5 times Donald Trump's team denied contact with Russia . The Washington Post . February 15, 2017.
  48. News: December 5, 2017 . Manafort worked on op-ed with Russian while out on bail, prosecutors say. Katelyn. Polantz. CNN. December 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171204232919/http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/04/politics/manafort-bail-russian-intelligence/index.html. December 4, 2017. live.
  49. News: Trump Aide Spoke During Campaign to Associate Tied to Russian Intelligence. Mark. Mazzetti. March 28, 2018. The New York Times. March 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180328174344/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/28/us/politics/rick-gates-trump-campaign-russian-intelligence.html. March 28, 2018. live.
  50. Web site: Manafort Accused of Sharing Trump Polling Data With Russian Associate. Sharon. LaFraniere. Kenneth P.. Vogel. Maggie. Haberman. January 8, 2019. The New York Times. January 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190109010257/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/08/us/politics/manafort-trump-campaign-data-kilimnik.html. January 9, 2019. live.
  51. Web site: In Closed Hearing, a Clue About 'the Heart' of Mueller's Russia Inquiry. Sharon. LaFraniere. Kenneth P.. Vogel. Scott. Shane. February 10, 2019. The New York Times.
  52. News: March 29, 2018 . Mueller probing Russia contacts at Republican convention: sources. Mark. Hosenball. Reuters. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330000456/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-convention/mueller-probing-russia-contacts-at-republican-convention-sources-idUSKBN1H52VT. March 30, 2018. live.
  53. Web site: January 10, 2017 . Michael Cohen on Twitter. Twitter. April 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180413232937/https://twitter.com/MichaelCohen212/status/818991277685567489. April 13, 2018. live.
  54. News: Peter . Stone . Greg . Gordon . April 13, 2018 . Sources: Mueller has evidence Cohen was in Prague in 2016, confirming part of dossier . . April 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180413234700/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article208870264.html. April 13, 2018. live.
  55. Web site: Michael Cohen on Twitter. Twitter. April 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180415140419/https://twitter.com/MichaelCohen212/status/985184355382431744. April 15, 2018. live.
  56. Web site: Michael Cohen says he's "never" been to Prague. He told me a different story.. April 20, 2018. David. Corn. Mother Jones. December 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181230005649/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/michael-cohen-says-hes-never-been-to-prague-he-told-me-a-different-story/. December 30, 2018. live.
  57. News: Peter . Stone . Greg . Gordon . Cell signal puts Cohen outside Prague around time of purported Russian meeting . . December 27, 2018 . December 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181227184142/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/investigations/article219016820.html . December 27, 2018 . live .
  58. Mueller Report, vol.2, p.139
  59. News: July 21, 2018 . Charlie . Savage . Charlie Savage (author) . Justice Dept. Releases Secret Carter Page Surveillance Documents at Center of Partisan Clash . . July 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180723201416/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/21/us/politics/carter-page-fisa.html . July 23, 2018 . live .
  60. Web site: In Re Carter W. Page, A U.S. Person. . https://web.archive.org/web/20180813153643/https://int.nyt.com/data/documenthelper/95-carter-page-fisa-documents-foia-release/full/optimized.pdf . August 13, 2018 . . December 26, 2018 .
  61. News: Shimon . Prokupecz . Evan . Perez . Pamela . Brown . Source: Justice Dept. probe will look at Trump Jr.'s disclosed emails, meeting . . July 11, 2017 . July 12, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170712000753/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/07/11/politics/donald-trump-jr-emails-special-counsel/index.html . July 12, 2017 .
  62. News: Donald Trump Jr.'s Emails About Meeting With Russian Lawyer, Annotated . . July 11, 2017 . July 12, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170712001907/http://www.npr.org/2017/07/11/536670194/donald-trump-jr-s-emails-about-meeting-with-russian-lawyer-annotated . July 12, 2017 .
  63. News: Jan . Diehm . Sean . O'Key. The email exchange Trump Jr. released, in chronological order. CNN. February 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180226092107/https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/07/politics/donald-trump-jr-full-emails/. February 26, 2018. live.
  64. News: Trump Told Russians That Firing 'Nut Job' Comey Eased Pressure From Investigation . The New York Times. May 19, 2017 . Apuzzo . Matt . Matt Apuzzo . May 19, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170519191230/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/us/politics/trump-russia-comey.html . May 19, 2017 .
  65. News: Ainsley . Julia . Winter . Tom . Mueller team asking if Trump tried to hide purpose of 2016 meeting . August 29, 2017 . . August 28, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170828234652/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mueller-team-asking-if-trump-tried-hide-purpose-trump-tower-n796746 . August 28, 2017 .
  66. News: Brown . Pamela . 8th person at Trump Tower meeting identified . . July 18, 2017 . July 18, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170718144011/http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/18/politics/eighth-man-trump-tower-meeting-russia/index.html . July 18, 2017 .
  67. News: Bash . Dana . Exclusive: Mueller asks WH staff to preserve all documents relating to June 2016 meeting . July 21, 2017 . July 21, 2017 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170721150723/http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/21/politics/robert-mueller-russia-investigation-trump-tower-meeting/index.html . July 21, 2017 .
  68. News: FBI conducted predawn raid of former Trump campaign chairman Manafort's home. Leonnig. Carol D.. August 9, 2017. The Washington Post. August 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170809141119/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fbi-conducted-predawn-raid-of-former-trump-campaign-chairman-manaforts-home/2017/08/09/5879fa9c-7c45-11e7-9d08-b79f191668ed_story.html. August 9, 2017. live. Hamburger. Tom. Helderman. Rosalind S..
  69. News: July 26, 2018 . Cohen claims Trump knew in advance of 2016 Trump Tower meeting . Jim . Sciutto . Carl . Bernstein . Marshall . Cohen . CNN. July 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180727011123/https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/26/politics/michael-cohen-donald-trump-june-2016-meeting-knowledge/index.html. July 27, 2018. live.
  70. News: August 26, 2018 . Tom . Hamburger . Robert . Costa . Felicia . Sonmez . Trump maintains not knowing in advance about meeting with Russians, disputing Cohen claim. . August 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180828010104/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-maintains-not-knowing-in-advance-about-meeting-with-russians-disputing-cohen-claim/2018/07/27/5e18f57a-9143-11e8-bcd5-9d911c784c38_story.html. August 28, 2018. live.
  71. News: Tom . Hamburger . Rosalind S. . Helderman . August 26, 2018 . Attorney for Michael Cohen backs away from confidence that Cohen has information about Trump's knowledge on Russian efforts. . August 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180827224122/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/attorney-for-michael-cohen-backs-away-from-confidence-that-cohen-has-information-about-trumps-knowledge-on-russian-efforts/2018/08/26/09d7f26e-a876-11e8-97ce-cc9042272f07_story.html. August 27, 2018. live.
  72. News: August 28, 2018 . Attorney for Michael Cohen keeps changing his story on Trump Tower meeting. Jim . Sciutto . Carl . Bernstein . CNN. September 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180902053716/https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/28/politics/lanny-davis-trump-tower-michael-cohen/index.html. September 2, 2018. live.
  73. News: March 23, 2017 . US officials: Info suggests Trump associates may have coordinated with Russians . Perez . Evan . Brown . Pamela . Prokupecz . Shimon . Sciutto . Jim . . May 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180501232250/https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/22/politics/us-officials-info-suggests-trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians/index.html . May 1, 2018 . live .
  74. News: Freifeld . Karen . Walcott . John . Grand jury issues subpoenas in connection with Trump Jr., Russian lawyer meeting: sources . August 3, 2017 . . August 4, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170803231417/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-idUSKBN1AJ1SW . August 3, 2017 .
  75. News: Katrina. Manson. Russian lobbyist testifies to Mueller grand jury. Financial Times. August 30, 2017. August 31, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170830235216/https://www.ft.com/content/eb36aed6-8d87-11e7-a352-e46f43c5825d . August 30, 2017 .
  76. News: September 19, 2017 . US government wiretapped Trump campaign chair . Perez . Evan . Brown . Pamela . Prokupecz . Shimon . . May 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180430230113/https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/politics/paul-manafort-government-wiretapped-fisa-russians/index.html . April 30, 2018 . live .
  77. News: Harris . Shane . Special Counsel Examines Possible Role Flynn Played in Seeking Clinton Emails From Hackers . August 26, 2017 . . August 25, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170825224205/https://www.wsj.com/articles/special-counsel-examines-possible-role-flynn-played-in-seeking-clinton-emails-from-hackers-1503694304 . August 25, 2017 .
  78. News: Mueller has interviewed the cybersecurity expert who described being 'recruited to collude with the Russians' . . Natasha . Bertrand . October 17, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171018131635/http://www.businessinsider.com/mueller-trump-russia-matt-tait-michael-flynn-investigation-2017-10 . October 18, 2017.
  79. News: October 16, 2017 . Hill investigators probe operative who sought Clinton emails. Jeremy. Herb. Manu. Raju. CNN. February 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041540/https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/16/politics/peter-w-smith-house-intelligence-committee/index.html. February 28, 2018. live.
  80. News: July 13, 2017 . Peter W. Smith, GOP operative who sought Clinton's emails from Russian hackers, committed suicide, records show. Katherine Skiba, David Heinzmann, Todd. Lighty. . March 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170714000457/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-peter-smith-death-met-0713-20170713-story.html. July 14, 2017. live.
  81. News: October 27, 2017 . Two intelligence committees interested in Peter W. Smith, who sought Clinton emails from Russian hackers. Katherine. Skiba. Chicago Tribune. March 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180302044457/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-peter-w-smith-congress-20171027-story.html. March 2, 2018. live.
  82. News: GOP Operative Secretly Raised at Least $100,000 in Search for Clinton Emails . Byron . Tau . Dustin . Volz . Shelby . Holliday . October 7, 2018 . December 26, 2018 . . subscription . https://web.archive.org/web/20181225200928/https://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-operative-secretly-raised-at-least-100-000-in-search-for-clinton-emails-1538913614 . December 25, 2018 . live .
  83. News: Late GOP Activist Peter W. Smith Met With Former Trump Adviser Michael Flynn in 2015 . . October 10, 2018 . Shelby . Holliday . Byron . Tau . Dustin . Volz . December 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181225200701/https://www.wsj.com/articles/late-gop-activist-peter-w-smith-met-with-former-trump-adviser-michael-flynn-in-2015-sources-say-1539196064 . December 25, 2018 . live .
  84. News: Mueller Probes WikiLeaks' Contacts With Conservative Activists . . Shelby . Holliday . Byron . Tau . Dustin . Volz . October 19, 2018 . December 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181226092423/https://www.wsj.com/articles/mueller-probes-wikileaks-contacts-with-conservative-activists-1539978208 . December 26, 2018 . live .
  85. https://www.justice.gov/storage/report.pdf Mueller report
  86. Web site: Flynn provided details in Mueller's obstruction inquiry, new memo shows. Mary Tyler. March. May 16, 2019. The Hill.
  87. Web site: Prosecutors: Person 'connected to' Congress tried to influence Flynn's cooperation with Mueller. Kyle. Cheney. . May 16, 2019 .
  88. News: December 28, 2017 . Mueller Probing Whether Trump Team Aided a Russian Disinformation Campaign. Adam K.. Raymond. . February 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041354/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/mueller-probing-whether-trump-team-aided-russian-trolls.html. February 28, 2018. live.
  89. News: December 27, 2017 . Natasha . Bertrand . Mueller is reportedly zeroing in on the Trump campaign's data operation – and the RNC. Business Insider. February 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180302041940/http://www.businessinsider.com/mueller-questions-rnc-digital-operation-trump-campaign-russia-2017-12. March 2, 2018. live.
  90. News: Michael . Isikoff. December 27, 2017 . Mueller probe outgrows its 'witch hunt' phase. Yahoo! News. February 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180227030432/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mueller-probe-outgrows-witch-hunt-phase-100045988.html. February 27, 2018. live.
  91. News: December 14, 2017 . Democrats want to know more about a strange omission from the Trump campaign's digital director about his foreign contacts. Natasha . Bertrand . Business Insider. February 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041330/http://www.businessinsider.com/subpoena-for-cambridge-analytica-brad-parscale-trump-russia-investigation-2017-12. February 28, 2018. live.
  92. Web site: Nadler . Jerrold . Jerrold Nadler . Elijah E. Cummings . Cummings . Elijah E. . December 14, 2017 . 2017-12-14.EEC Nadler to Gowdy Goodlatte re Cambridge Analytica Giles-Pa... . . . . February 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180923125001/https://democrats-oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2017-12-14.EEC%20Nadler%20to%20Gowdy%20Goodlatte%20re%20Cambridge%20Analytica%20Giles-Pa....pdf . September 23, 2018 . live .
  93. News: Trump picks Parscale to run 2020 campaign. . Isenstadt. Alex. Samuelsohn. Darren. February 27, 2018. February 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181005151747/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/27/brad-parscale-trump-2020-426639. October 5, 2018. live.
  94. News: March 1, 2018 . Sonam . Sheth . For the first time, Mueller looks to be moving 'up the food chain' to ensnare Trump in the Russian collusion probe. Business Insider. March 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180301154609/http://www.businessinsider.com/mueller-eyes-trump-collusion-on-wikileaks-dnc-hack-in-russia-probe-2018-2. March 1, 2018. live.
  95. News: Roger Stone, the 'Trickster' on Trump's Side, Is Under F.B.I. Scrutiny. Maggie. Haberman. March 21, 2017 . The New York Times. February 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170524010815/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/21/us/roger-stone-donald-trump-russia.html . May 24, 2017. live.
  96. News: March 21, 2017 . Trump adviser Roger Stone repeatedly claimed to know of forthcoming WikiLeaks dumps . Andrew. Kaczynski. Nathan. McDermott. Chris. Massie. . February 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180301044742/https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/20/politics/kfile-roger-stone-wikileaks-claims/index.html. March 1, 2018. live.
  97. News: May 10, 2017 . Natasha . Bertrand . Bryan . Logan. Top Trump confidante admits to speaking privately with Guccifer 2.0, an alleged Russian cyberspy. Business Insider. March 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180301164357/http://www.businessinsider.com/roger-stone-dnc-hacker-guccifer-democratic-party-2017-3. March 1, 2018. live.
  98. News: November 1, 2018 . Sharon . LaFraniere . Michael S. . Schmidt . Maggie . Haberman . Danny . Hakim . Roger Stone Sold Himself to Trump's Campaign as a WikiLeaks Pipeline. Was He?. The New York Times. November 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181101175318/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/us/politics/roger-stone-trump-campaign-mueller-wikileaks.html. November 1, 2018. live.
  99. News: May 16, 2018 . Mueller issues grand jury subpoenas to Trump adviser's social media.... Mark. Hosenball. Reuters. May 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516193440/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-mueller/mueller-issues-grand-jury-subpoenas-to-trump-advisers-social-media-consultant-idUSKCN1IH2OB. May 16, 2018. live.
  100. News: May 18, 2018 . Exclusive: Special Counsel subpoenas another Stone aide in Russia... . Mark. Hosenball. Reuters. May 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518200417/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-mueller-subpoena-exclusive/exclusive-special-counsel-subpoenas-another-stone-aide-in-russia-probe-sources-idUSKCN1IJ2MV . May 18, 2018. live.
  101. News: Katy . Tur . Carol E. . Lee . February 28, 2018 . Mueller asking if Trump knew about hacked Dem emails before release. NBC News. February 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180301035601/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/mueller-asking-what-trump-knew-about-hacked-emails-n851941. March 1, 2018. live.
  102. News: Leonnig . Carol D. . Costa . Robert . Mueller raised possibility of presidential subpoena in meeting with Trump's legal team . . May 1, 2018 . May 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180506210813/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-raised-possibility-of-presidential-subpoena-in-meeting-with-trumps-legal-team/2018/05/01/2bdec08e-4d51-11e8-af46-b1d6dc0d9bfe_story.html . May 6, 2018 . live .
  103. News: Mueller Has Dozens of Inquiries for Trump in Broad Quest on Russia Ties and Obstruction. Michael S.. Schmidt. April 30, 2018. The New York Times. May 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180501005124/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/us/politics/robert-mueller-questions-trump.html. May 1, 2018. live.
  104. Web site: Sharon. LaFraniere. December 1, 2018. Mueller Exposes the Culture of Lying That Surrounds Trump. The New York Times. December 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181201235313/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/01/us/politics/trump-mueller-lying.html. December 1, 2018. live.
  105. News: Nicholas . Fandos . Michael S. . Schmidt . Tantalizing Testimony From a Top Trump Aide Sets Off a Search for Proof. May 15, 2018 . The New York Times. May 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516043036/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/us/politics/john-mashburn-trump-russia-email-papadopoulos.html. May 16, 2018. live.
  106. Web site: United States of America v. George Papadopoulos . . October 5, 2017 . May 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171030210548/https://www.justice.gov/file/1007346/download . October 30, 2017 . live .
  107. Web site: Mueller Probe is Over: Special counsel submits Russia report to Attorney General William Barr. Breuninger. Kevin. March 22, 2019. CNBC. March 22, 2019.
  108. Web site: Timeline: Every big move in the Mueller investigation . . March 24, 2019 . . March 25, 2019 .
  109. Web site: Letter. Scribd. March 24, 2019.
  110. Web site: Attorney General Barr to release Mueller Russia probe report findings. Kimball. Spencer . Jacob . Pramuk . March 24, 2019. CNBC. March 24, 2019.
  111. News: Entous . Adam . Nakashima . Ellen . Trump asked intelligence chiefs to push back against FBI collusion probe after Comey revealed its existence . . May 22, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170525053149/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-asked-intelligence-chiefs-to-push-back-against-fbi-collusion-probe-after-comey-revealed-its-existence/2017/05/22/394933bc-3f10-11e7-9869-bac8b446820a_story.html . May 25, 2017 .
  112. News: Top intelligence official told associates Trump asked him if he could intervene with Comey on FBI Russia probe . Ensous . Adam . June 6, 2017 . . June 7, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170607001602/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/top-intelligence-official-told-associates-trump-asked-him-if-he-could-intervene-with-comey-to-get-fbi-to-back-off-flynn/2017/06/06/cc879f14-4ace-11e7-9669-250d0b15f83b_story.html . June 7, 2017 .
  113. News: Intelligence chiefs: No pressure from Trump administration on Russia probe . LoBianco . Tom . June 7, 2017 . . June 7, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170608213047/http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/07/politics/russia-hearing-dan-coats/ . June 8, 2017 .
  114. Web site: n.d.. Coats, Daniel Ray – Biographical Information. United States Congress. April 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628222617/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=c000542. June 28, 2011. live.
  115. News: May 12, 2017 . Trump says he considered 'this Russia thing' when firing FBI Director Comey. James. Griffiths. CNN. October 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181017150533/https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/12/politics/trump-comey-russia-thing/index.html. October 17, 2018. live.
  116. News: May 31, 2018 . Trump, again, denies firing Comey over Russia despite saying exactly that at the time . Veronica. Stracqualursi. CNN. October 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181020224016/https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/31/politics/trump-russia-investigation/index.html . October 20, 2018. live.
  117. News: August 30, 2018 . Trump claims NBC 'fudged' his tape on Comey firing . . October 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181021024605/https://www.reuters.com/video/2018/08/30/trump-claims-nbc-fudged-his-tape-on-come?videoId=459616885&videoChannel=118261 . October 21, 2018 . live .
  118. News: September 20, 2018 . Sekulow: NBC edited Trump interview on Comey. Early Start. CNN. October 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181020224128/https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/09/20/jay-sekulow-claim-nbc-edited-trump-interview-briggs-bts-es-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/robert-mullers-investigation/. October 20, 2018. live.
  119. News: FBI refused White House request to knock down recent Trump–Russia stories . Sciutto . Jim . Perez . Evan . Prokupecz . Shimon . Raju . Manu . Brown . Pamela . February 24, 2017 . . May 24, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170523215239/http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/politics/fbi-refused-white-house-request-to-knock-down-recent-trump-russia-stories/ . May 23, 2017 .
  120. News: Dilanian . Ken . Windrem . Robert . Trump asked top intel officials to push back publicly on Russia probe . . May 22, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170525002941/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-asked-top-intel-officials-push-back-publicly-russia-probe-n763336 . May 25, 2017 .
  121. News: Watkins . Eli . Sciutto . Jim . Collinson . Stephen . Trump asked DNI, NSA to deny evidence of Russia collusion . . May 23, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170525003422/http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/22/politics/donald-trump-intelligence-community/index.html . May 25, 2017 .
  122. News: Trump administration sought to enlist intelligence officials, key lawmakers to counter Russia stories. Greg. Miller. Adam. Entous. February 24, 2017. The Washington Post. February 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170301130011/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-sought-to-enlist-intelligence-officials-key-lawmakers-to-counter-russia-stories/2017/02/24/c8487552-fa99-11e6-be05-1a3817ac21a5_story.html. March 1, 2017. live.
  123. News: Wilber . Del Quentin . Viswanatha . Aruna . Trump Asked Comey to Drop Flynn Investigation, According to Memo Written by Former FBI Director . . May 17, 2017 . May 17, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170517043415/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-asked-comey-to-drop-flynn-investigation-according-to-memo-written-by-former-fbi-director-1494974774 . May 17, 2017 .
  124. News: May 16, 2017 . Barrett . Devlin . Nakashima . Ellen . Zapotosky . Matt . Notes made by former FBI director Comey say Trump pressured him to end Flynn probe . . May 17, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170516225932/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/notes-made-by-former-fbi-director-comey-say-trump-pressured-him-to-end-flynn-probe/2017/05/16/52351a38-3a80-11e7-9e48-c4f199710b69_story.html . May 16, 2017 .
  125. News: Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation . Schmidt . Michael S. . May 16, 2017 . The New York Times. May 16, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170516212935/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/us/politics/james-comey-trump-flynn-russia-investigation.html . May 16, 2017 .
  126. News: James Comey's troubling testimony about President Trump's conduct, explained . Prokop . Andrew . June 8, 2017 . . June 8, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170629170751/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/8/15761940/james-comey-testimony-obstruction-justice . June 29, 2017 .
  127. News: The frantic scramble before Mueller got the job . Pamela . Brown . Jeremy . Herb . December 7, 2018 . December 26, 2018 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20181223020248/https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/06/politics/rosenstein-comey-firing-obstruction-probe/index.html . December 23, 2018 . live .
  128. News: May 17, 2017 . Brown . Pamela . Pamela Brown (journalist) . Comey documented 'everything he could remember' after Trump conversations . . May 17, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170517005318/http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/16/politics/james-comey-trump-memo-documents/index.html . May 17, 2017 .
  129. News: Comey memos will stay with Mueller, not be released, judge rules. Bradford. Betz. February 3, 2018. Fox News. March 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303110203/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/03/comey-memos-will-stay-with-mueller-not-be-released-judge-rules.html. March 3, 2018. live.
  130. News: June 14, 2017 . Horwitz . Sari . Barrett . Devlin . Entous . Adam . Nakashima . Ellen . Special counsel is investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice, officials say . . June 14, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170809213851/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-is-investigating-trump-for-possible-obstruction-of-justice/2017/06/14/9ce02506-5131-11e7-b064-828ba60fbb98_story.html . August 9, 2017 .
  131. News: Eli . Watkins . Washington Post: Mueller investigating Trump . . live . June 15, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170718021149/http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/14/politics/robert-mueller-donald-trump/index.html . July 18, 2017 .
  132. News: Schmidt . Michael S. . Michael S. Schmidt . Apuzzo . Matt . Matt Apuzzo . Mueller Seeks to Talk to Intelligence Officials, Hinting at Inquiry of Trump . The New York Times. June 14, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170809214213/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/politics/mueller-trump-special-counsel-investigation.html . August 9, 2017 .
  133. News: Thomas . Pierre . June 19, 2017 . Where Things Stand with Special Counsel Mueller's Russia Probe . ABC News . According to sources familiar with the process ... [a]n assessment of evidence and circumstances will be completed before a final decision is made to launch an investigation of the president of the United States regarding potential obstruction of justice. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170621125257/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/things-stand-special-counsel-muellers-russia-probe/story?id=48142304 . June 21, 2017 .
  134. realDonaldTrump . 875701471999864833 . June 16, 2017 . I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt. Donald Trump. Donald. Trump . June 18, 2017.
  135. Sekulow . Jay . Jay Sekulow . . Transcript: Jay Sekulow on "Face the Nation," June 18, 2017 . . . June 18, 2017 . June 19, 2017 . SEKULOW: The president is not and has not been under investigation.
    DICKERSON: How do you know?
    SEKULOW: Because we've received no notice of investigation. There has been no notification from the special counsel's office that the president is under investigation. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170618191734/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-jay-sekulow-on-face-the-nation-june-18-2017/ . June 18, 2017 .
  136. News: Julia Edwards . Ainsley . Sarah N. . Lynch . June 18, 2017 . Trump lawyer says president not informed he is under investigation . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170618144800/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-idUSKBN1990O7 . June 18, 2017 .
  137. News: Mueller Seeks White House Documents Related to Trump's Actions as President. Michael S.. Schmidt. September 20, 2017. The New York Times. February 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180828132211/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/20/us/politics/mueller-trump-russia.html. August 28, 2018. live.
  138. News: September 20, 2017 . Mueller seeks documents related to Trump's actions while in White House. Noah. Bierman. Los Angeles Times. February 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180905140848/http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-mueller-white-house-20170920-story.html. September 5, 2018. live.
  139. News: Trump Told Russians That Firing 'Nut Job' Comey Eased Pressure From Investigation. Matt. Apuzzo. Maggie. Haberman. Matthew. Rosenberg. May 19, 2017. The New York Times. July 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519191230/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/19/us/politics/trump-russia-comey.html. May 19, 2017. live.
  140. News: Leonnig. Carol D.. Horwitz. Sari. Dawsey. Josh. Mueller seeks to question Trump about Flynn and Comey departures. The Washington Post. January 24, 2018. January 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180123235526/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-seeks-to-question-trump-about-flynn-and-comey-departures/2018/01/23/e6652db6-0068-11e8-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html. January 23, 2018. live.
  141. News: Matt . Apuzzo . Adam . Goldman . Andrew McCabe, Ex-Deputy Director of F.B.I., Will Be Faulted for Leaks. March 1, 2018. The New York Times. March 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180302001105/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/us/politics/justice-dept-andrew-mccabe.html. March 2, 2018. live.
  142. News: Trump asked the acting FBI director how he voted during Oval Office meeting. Ellen. Nakashima. Josh. Dawsey. Devlin. Barrett. January 23, 2018. The Washington Post. March 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180301233754/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-asked-the-acting-fbi-director-whom-he-voted-for-during-oval-office-meeting/2018/01/23/2cb50818-0073-11e8-8acf-ad2991367d9d_story.html. March 1, 2018. live.
  143. News: January 25, 2018 . Trump attacks McCabe, denies asking who he voted for. Dan. Merica. CNN. March 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050856/https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/politics/andrew-mccabe-donald-trump/index.html. March 3, 2018. live.
  144. News: March 18, 2018 . Mueller has McCabe memos documenting conversations with Trump. Laura. Jarrett. Pamela. Brown. Veronica. Stracqualursi. CNN. March 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180317174242/https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/17/politics/mccabe-memos-trump/index.html. March 17, 2018. live.
  145. News: Sessions Is Questioned as Russia Inquiry Focuses on Obstruction. Michael S.. Schmidt. Maggie. Haberman. March 3, 2018. The New York Times. March 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303095816/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/us/politics/jeff-sessions-special-counsel-russia.html. March 3, 2018. live.
  146. News: Excerpts From The Times's Interview With Trump. July 19, 2017. The New York Times. March 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170720014332/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/us/politics/trump-interview-transcript.html. July 20, 2017. live.
  147. News: Riding an Untamed Horse: Priebus Opens Up on Serving Trump. Peter. Baker. February 14, 2018. The New York Times. March 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303105904/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/14/us/politics/riding-an-untamed-horse-priebus-opens-up-on-serving-trump.html. March 3, 2018. live.
  148. News: March 1, 2018 . The Complete History of President Trump's Feud With Jeff Sessions. Margaret. Hartmann. Intelligencer. March 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303110733/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/03/history-trump-jeff-sessions-feud.html. March 3, 2018. live.
  149. News: Mueller investigation examining Trump's apparent efforts to oust Sessions in July. Devlin. Barrett. Josh. Dawsey. Rosalind S.. Helderman. February 28, 2018. The Washington Post. March 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180301002422/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mueller-investigation-examining-trumps-apparent-efforts-to-oust-sessions-in-july/2018/02/28/909cfa7c-1cd7-11e8-b2d9-08e748f892c0_story.html. March 1, 2018. live.
  150. News: Michael S. . Schmidt . Julie . Hirschfeld Davis. Trump Asked Sessions to Retain Control of Russia Inquiry After His Recusal. May 29, 2018. The New York Times. May 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180530000034/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/us/politics/trump-sessions-obstruction.html. May 30, 2018. live.
  151. News: Matt . Apuzzo . Michael S. . Schmidt . The Questions Mueller Wants to Ask Trump About Obstruction, and What They Mean. April 30, 2018. The New York Times. May 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180529230704/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/us/politics/questions-mueller-wants-to-ask-trump-russia.html. May 29, 2018. live.
  152. News: Kevin. Johnson. January 31, 2018. Mueller to question ex-Trump legal team spokesman about possible White House obstruction. USA Today. February 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180226151933/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/31/mueller-question-ex-trump-legal-team-spokesman-possible-white-house-obstruction/1083357001/. February 26, 2018. live.
  153. News: Mueller Zeros In on Story Put Together About Trump Tower Meeting. Jo. Becker. Mark. Mazzetti. Matt. Apuzzo. Maggie. Haberman. February 26, 2018. The New York Times. February 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180226092220/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/31/us/politics/trump-russia-hope-hicks-mueller.html. February 26, 2018. live.
  154. News: John. Santucci. Hope Hicks met with special counsel's team for interviews. December 9, 2017. ABC News. February 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180227225408/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hope-hicks-met-special-counsels-team-interviews/story?id=51681287. February 27, 2018. live.
  155. News: Spokesman for Trump's legal team left because he worried Trump obstructed justice, Wolff book claims. Tucker. Higgins. January 4, 2018. CNBC. February 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180226152004/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/04/trump-spokesman-mark-corallo-left-over-obstruction-concerns-wolff-book-claims.html. February 26, 2018. live.
  156. News: Mueller Weighs Putting Off Trump Obstruction Decision . Chris . Strohm . Shannon . Pettypiece . March 12, 2018 . . March 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180905201607/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-12/mueller-is-said-to-weigh-putting-off-trump-obstruction-decision . September 5, 2018 . live .
  157. News: Trump's Lawyer Raised Prospect of Pardons for Flynn and Manafort as Special Counsel Closed In. Michael S.. Schmidt. Jo. Becker. Mark. Mazzetti. Maggie. Haberman. Adam. Goldman. March 28, 2018. The New York Times. March 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180328172551/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/28/us/politics/trump-pardon-michael-flynn-paul-manafort-john-dowd.html. March 28, 2018. live.
  158. News: March 28, 2018 . Manafort bets on presidential pardon in special counsel case. CBS News. March 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180328144151/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/manafort-bets-on-presidential-pardon-in-special-counsel-case/. March 28, 2018. live.
  159. News: Michael S. . Schmidt . Maggie . Haberman . Charlie . Savage . Matt . Apuzzo . Trump's Lawyers, in Confidential Memo, Argue to Head Off a Historic Subpoena. June 2, 2018. The New York Times. June 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180602183246/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/02/us/politics/trump-lawyers-memo-mueller-subpoena.html. June 2, 2018. live.
  160. News: The Trump Lawyers' Confidential Memo to Mueller, Annotated. June 2, 2018. The New York Times. June 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180602183709/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/02/us/politics/trump-legal-documents.html. June 2, 2018. live.
  161. News: Ian . Schwartz. Trump: I Wouldn't Have Picked Sessions If I Had Known He Would Recuse Himself . . November 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181112101405/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/07/19/trump_i_wouldnt_have_picked_sessions_if_i_knew_he_would_recuse_himself.html. November 12, 2018. live.
  162. News: Matthew Whitaker, a Trump Loyalist, Is Seen as Ascendant Amid Rosenstein Chaos. September 26, 2018 . Katie . Benner . Maggie . Haberman. The New York Times. November 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181111054248/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/26/us/politics/matthew-whitaker-justice-department.html. November 11, 2018. live.
  163. News: November 7, 2018 . Adam . Goldman . Edward . Wong . Trump Installs a Critic of the Mueller Investigation to Oversee It. The New York Times. November 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181109232226/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/07/us/politics/whitaker-mueller-trump.html. November 9, 2018. live.
  164. News: Adam . Goldman . Michael D. . Shear . Mitch . Smith. November 9, 2018 . Matthew Whitaker: An Attack Dog With Ambition Beyond Protecting Trump. The New York Times. November 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181110074241/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/09/us/politics/matthew-whitaker-acting-attorney-general.html. November 10, 2018. live.
  165. Web site: Jack. Holmes . Trump Just Blurted Out, Unprompted, That He Installed His Pet Attorney General Over the Russia Probe. November 15, 2018. Esquire. November 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181115163445/https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a25126445/trump-attorney-general-russia-probe-matthew-whitaker/. November 15, 2018. live.
  166. News: November 11, 2018 . Time . Hains . House Judiciary Committee's Nadler: Whitaker Appointment Is Part Of A "Pattern Of Obstruction" Of Mueller. . November 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181112101403/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/11/11/house_judiciary_committees_nadler_whitaker_appointment_is_part_of_a_pattern_of_obstruction_of_mueller.html. November 12, 2018. live.
  167. News: November 18, 2018 . Trump would not intervene if Whitaker moves to curtail Mueller probe . Amanda . Becker . . November 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118174317/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia/trump-would-not-intervene-if-whitaker-moves-to-curtail-mueller-probe-idUSKCN1NN0LN . November 18, 2018. live.
  168. News: Perez. Evan. Brown. Pamela. Prokupecz. Shimon. One year into the FBI's Russia investigation, Mueller is on the Trump money trail. August 4, 2017. CNN. August 3, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170804001723/http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/03/politics/mueller-investigation-russia-trump-one-year-financial-ties/index.html. August 4, 2017. live.
  169. News: Horwitz . Sari . Zapotosky . Matt . Entous . Adam . Special counsel is investigating Jared Kushner's business dealings . August 27, 2017 . The Washington Post. June 15, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170822180716/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/special-counsel-is-investigating-jared-kushners-business-dealings/2017/06/15/5d9a32c6-51f2-11e7-91eb-9611861a988f_story.html . August 22, 2017 .
  170. News: Executive Talk: Donald Trump Jr. bullish on Russia and few emerging markets. Hazel. Heyer. September 15, 2008. ETurboNews. February 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180223140230/https://www.eturbonews.com/9788/executive-talk-donald-trump-jr-bullish-russia-and-few-emerging-ma. February 23, 2018. live.
  171. News: April 6, 2018 . Mueller probe tracking down Trump business partners, with Cohen a focus of queries. Keving G. . Hall . Ben . Wieder . Greg . Gordon . McClatchy. April 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180406014835/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article208090764.html. April 6, 2018. live.
  172. News: Farrell . Greg . Berthelsen . Christian . Mueller Expands Probe to Trump Business Transactions . August 10, 2017 . . July 20, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170810210744/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-20/mueller-is-said-to-expand-probe-to-trump-business-transactions . August 10, 2017 .
  173. News: Senator wants records on Trump's Palm Beach mansion sale to Russian . Katelyn . Polantz . Marshall . Cohen . February 11, 2018 . . February 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180211010248/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/10/politics/russia-trump-real-estate-deal-wyden/index.html . February 11, 2018. live.
  174. News: 0362-4331 . Schmidt . Michael S. . Haberman . Maggie . Apuzzo . Matt . Trump Aides, Seeking Leverage, Investigate Mueller's Investigators . The New York Times. July 21, 2017 . July 20, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170721012128/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/us/politics/donald-trump-robert-mueller-russia-investigation.html . July 21, 2017 .
  175. News: Mueller Subpoenas Deutsche Bank Records Related to Trump. Jenny. Strasburg. December 6, 2017. The Wall Street Journal. February 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180817202210/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trumps-deutsche-bank-records-subpoenaed-by-mueller-1512480154. August 17, 2018. live.
  176. News: Trump Sought to Fire Mueller in December . Maggie . Haberman . Michael S. . Schmidt . April 10, 2018 . . April 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180411001502/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/10/us/politics/trump-sought-to-fire-mueller-in-december.html . April 11, 2018 . live .
  177. News: Kushner's White House role 'crushed' efforts to woo investors for NYC tower. Michael. Kranish. Jonathan. O'Connell. September 13, 2017. The Washington Post. February 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180222004133/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/kushners-white-house-role-crushed-efforts-to-woo-investors-for-nyc-tower/2017/09/13/723a9732-82c8-11e7-ab27-1a21a8e006ab_story.html. February 22, 2018. live.
  178. News: Senate Committee to Question Jared Kushner Over Meetings With Russians. Jo. Becker. Matthew. Rosenberg. Maggie. Haberman. March 27, 2017. The New York Times. February 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180225103325/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/us/politics/senate-jared-kushner-russia.html. February 25, 2018. live.
  179. News: February 20, 2018 . Mueller's interest in Kushner grows to include foreign financing efforts. Shimon. Prokupecz. Kara. Scannell. Gloria. Borger. CNN. February 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180222194748/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/19/politics/mueller-investigation-kushner-foreign-financing-efforts/index.html. February 22, 2018. live.
  180. News: August 3, 2018. Kushner Companies offloads troubled 666 Fifth Avenue flagship. Julia. Horowitz. Cristina. Alesci. CNN. December 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181201093319/https://money.cnn.com/2018/08/03/news/companies/kushner-666-fifth-avenue-brookfield/index.html. December 1, 2018. live.
  181. News: Apuzzo. Matt. Paul Manafort, Who Once Ran Trump Campaign, Surrenders to F.B.I.. October 30, 2017. The New York Times. October 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171030115712/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/30/us/politics/paul-manafort-indicted.html. October 30, 2017. live.
  182. News: Orden . Erica . Special Counsel Investigating Possible Money Laundering by Paul Manafort . August 9, 2017 . . July 20, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170809030451/https://www.wsj.com/articles/special-counsel-investigating-possible-money-laundering-by-paul-manafort-1500587532 . August 9, 2017 .
  183. News: Leonnig . Carol D. . Parker . Ashley . Helderman . Rosalind S. . Hamburger . Tom . Trump team seeks to control, block Mueller's Russia investigation . August 27, 2017 . . July 21, 2017 . live . https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20170721064659/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-lawyers-seek-to-undercut-muellers-russia-investigation/2017/07/20/232ebf2c-6d71-11e7-b9e2-2056e768a7e5_story.html . July 21, 2017 .
  184. Preliminary Finding About Trump Campaign's Effort to Obtain Incriminating Information on Secretary Clinton from Russia at Trump Tower Meeting . Dianne Feinstein . Dianne . Feinstein . . May 16, 2018 . May 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180924192341/https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/b/3/b3e29bc4-8afd-4145-85d9-618dcad4a133/D069EF11DC3784A6D073B097E720572E.2018.05.15-transcript-release-findings-9-am.pdf . September 24, 2018 . live .
  185. News: Kremlin Used NRA to Help Trump in 2016, Senate Report Says. Justin. Miller. May 16, 2018. The Daily Beast. May 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516175056/https://www.thedailybeast.com/kremlin-used-nra-to-help-trump-in-2016-says-senate-intelligence-committee. May 16, 2018. live.
  186. torshin_ru . 635407757248737280 . @i_korotchenko Д.Трамп сторонник традиционных семейных ценностей. Член NRA. Видел его в Нэшвилле (апрель с.г.). . ru . @i_korotchenko D. Trump is a proponent of traditional family values. Member of NRA. Saw him in Nashville (April S.G.). . August 23, 2015 . March 8, 2018.
  187. News: FBI investigating whether Russian money went to NRA to help Trump . . Stone . Peter . Gordon . Greg . January 18, 2018 . March 8, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720033956/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article195231139.html . July 20, 2018 . live .
  188. News: Paul . Waldman . The Russia scandal just got bigger. And Republicans are trying to prevent an accounting.. January 18, 2018. The Washington Post. January 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180905071545/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2018/01/18/the-russia-scandal-just-got-bigger-and-republicans-are-trying-to-prevent-an-accounting/. September 5, 2018. live.
  189. News: July 16, 2018 . Matt . Apuzzo . Katie . Benner . Sharon . LaFraniere . Mariia Butina, Woman Who Sought 'Back Channel' Meeting for Trump and Putin, Is Charged as Russian Agent. The New York Times. July 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717034550/http://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/16/us/politics/trump-russia-indictment.html. July 17, 2018. live.
  190. News: July 16, 2018 . Tom . Schoenberg . Polly . Mosendz . U.S. Authorities Arrest NRA-Linked Russian Activist. Bloomberg News. July 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717012953/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-16/russian-gun-rights-advocate-arrested-by-u-s-for-conspiracy. July 17, 2018. live.
  191. News: July 18, 2018 . Sharon . LaFraniere . Adam . Goldman . Maria Butina, Suspected Secret Agent, Used Sex in Covert Plan, Prosecutors Say. The New York Times. July 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180719201448/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/us/politics/maria-butina-russia-espionage.html. July 19, 2018. live.
  192. Web site: June 14, 2018 . In the matter of an application for criminal complaint for Mariia Butina, also known as Maria Butina: Affidavit in support of an application for a criminal complaint . https://web.archive.org/web/20180717034017/https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1080766/download . July 17, 2018. . . Kevin . Helson .
  193. Web site: Maria Butina Pleads Guilty to Role in a Russian Effort to Influence Conservatives. Matthew. Rosenberg. July 17, 2018. The New York Times. December 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181213180250/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/13/us/politics/butina-guilty.html. December 13, 2018. live.
  194. News: July 17, 2018 . Sharon . LaFraniere . Matthew . Rosenberg . Adam . Goldman . Maria Butina Loved Guns, Trump and Russia. It Was a Cover, Prosecutors Say.. The New York Times. July 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180718023838/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/17/us/maria-butina-russian-agent-charges.html. July 18, 2018. live.
  195. News: April 5, 2018 . Exclusive: Mueller's team questioning Russian oligarchs. Kara. Scannell. Shimon. Prokupecz. CNN. April 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180404210728/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/04/politics/mueller-special-counsel-investigation-russian-oligarchs/index.html. April 4, 2018. live.
  196. News: Adam . Goldman . Ben . Protess . William K. . Rashbaum . Viktor Vekselberg, Russian Billionaire, Was Questioned by Mueller's Investigators. May 4, 2018. The New York Times. May 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180504235139/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/04/us/politics/viktor-vekselberg-mueller-investigation.html. May 4, 2018. live.
  197. Web site: Mueller's team questions Russian oligarch about payments to Cohen. Kara. Scannell. Shimon. Prokupecz. CNN. May 8, 2018.
  198. Web site: Exclusive: Mueller's team questioning Russian oligarchs. Kara . Shimon . Prokupecz. Scannell. CNN. April 4, 2018.
  199. News: Mueller Investigating Ukrainian's $150,000 Payment for a Trump Appearance. Michael S.. Schmidt. Maggie. Haberman. April 9, 2018. The New York Times. April 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180410002905/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/us/politics/trump-mueller-ukraine-victor-pinchuk.html. April 10, 2018. live.
  200. Web site: Special Counsel Sought Michael Cohen's Emails in 2017, Documents Show. Benjamin. Weiser. William K.. Rashbaum. March 19, 2019. The New York Times.
  201. Web site: Cohen search warrant: 19 blacked-out pages suggest Trump legal peril. Kevin Breuninger, Dan. Mangan. March 19, 2019. CNBC.
  202. News: F.B.I. Raids Office of Trump's Longtime Lawyer Michael Cohen. Apuzzo. Matt. April 9, 2018. The New York Times. April 9, 2018. 0362-4331. https://web.archive.org/web/20180409201609/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/09/us/politics/fbi-raids-office-of-trumps-longtime-lawyer-michael-cohen.html. April 9, 2018. live.
  203. News: Trump attorney Cohen is being investigated for possible bank fraud, campaign finance violations, according to a person familiar with the case. Leonnig. Carol D.. April 9, 2018. The Washington Post. April 9, 2018. Hamburger. Tom. 0190-8286. Barrett. Devlin. https://web.archive.org/web/20180409223034/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fbi-seizes-records-related-to-stormy-daniels-in-raid-of-trump-attorney-michael-cohens-office/2018/04/09/e3e43cf4-3c30-11e8-974f-aacd97698cef_story.html. April 9, 2018. live.
  204. News: FBI raids Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's office, seizes Stormy Daniels documents, bank records. CNN. April 9, 2018. Eli. Watkins. April 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181006115044/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/09/politics/michael-cohen-fbi/index.html. October 6, 2018. live.
  205. News: Michael D. . Shear . Matt . Apuzzo . Sharon . LaFraniere . Raids on Trump's Lawyer Sought Records of Payments to Women . The New York Times. April 10, 2018 . April 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180412041228/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/10/us/politics/trump-russia-mueller-rosenstein.html . April 12, 2018 . live .
  206. News: Why the F.B.I. Raid Is Perilous for Michael Cohen – and Trump. Ken. White. The New York Times. April 10, 2018. April 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180903222900/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/10/opinion/trump-michael-cohen-fbi-raid.html. September 3, 2018. live.
  207. Web site: The Search of Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen's Office: What We Can Infer Immediately. April 9, 2018. Ken. White. Popehat. April 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180929055132/https://www.popehat.com/2018/04/09/the-search-of-trump-lawyer-michael-cohens-office-what-we-can-infer-immediately/. September 29, 2018. live.
  208. Web site: 9-13.420 – Searches of Premises of Subject Attorneys. United States Department of Justice. February 19, 2015. April 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180904113953/https://www.justice.gov/usam/usam-9-13000-obtaining-evidence#9-13.420. September 4, 2018. live.
  209. News: Winter. Tom. Julia. Ainsley. Mueller Now Investigating Democratic Lobbyist Tony Podesta. NBC News. October 24, 2017. October 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180824093611/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mueller-now-investigating-democratic-lobbyist-tony-podesta-n812776. August 24, 2018. live.
  210. News: Shellbourne. Mallory. Mueller shifts to Tony Podesta, Democratic lobbying firm: report. The Hill. October 23, 2017. October 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180902095837/http://thehill.com/homenews/news/356654-mueller-shifts-to-tony-podesta-democratic-lobbying-firm-report. September 2, 2018. live.
  211. News: Brennan. Christopher. October 23, 2017. Mueller probe now targeting Democratic-leaning Podesta Group: report. Daily News. New York. October 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180905060531/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/mueller-probe-targeting-democratic-leaning-podesta-group-report-article-1.3582502. September 5, 2018. live.
  212. News: Singman. Brooke. Report: Mueller probe expands to Democratic lobbyist Tony Podesta's dealings. Fox News. October 23, 2017. October 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180707172458/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/23/report-mueller-probe-expands-to-democratic-lobbyist-tony-podestas-russia-dealings.html. July 7, 2018. live.
  213. News: Desmond . Butler . Mueller grand jury investigating top DC lobbyists . November 3, 2017 . December 27, 2017 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20171103035347/https://www.apnews.com/a7589ef1d4034a08b93d966abbb05017 . November 3, 2017 . live .
  214. News: Inside the Podesta Group's last days . . November 10, 2017 . Theodoric . Meyer . March 30, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180330212237/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/10/podesta-group-last-days-244799 . March 30, 2018 . live .
  215. Web site: US Probe of Lobbyists Podesta and Weber Ends Without Charges. The Associated Press. September 24, 2019. NYTimes.com.
  216. News: Here's why James Comey wouldn't tell the world that Trump wasn't under investigation. Bump. Philip. June 7, 2017. The Washington Post. April 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615214739/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/06/07/heres-why-james-comey-wouldnt-tell-the-world-that-trump-wasnt-under-investigation/. June 15, 2018. live.
  217. Web site: May 9, 2017 . Trump . Donald . Donald Trump . Comey Firing Letter . . November 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171126095832/https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3711116/White-House-Fires-James-Comey.pdf . November 26, 2017 . live .
  218. News: Trump v Comey: Who said what . June 22, 2017 . . April 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180507134826/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40196105 . May 7, 2018 . live .
  219. News: Mueller told Trump's attorneys the president remains under investigation but is not currently a criminal target. Carol D.. Leonnig. Robert. Costa. April 3, 2018. The Washington Post. April 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180816172144/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mueller-told-trumps-attorneys-the-president-remains-under-investigation-but-is-not-currently-a-criminal-target/2018/04/03/d7832cf0-36c1-11e8-acd5-35eac230e514_story.html. August 16, 2018. live.
  220. Web site: 9-11.000 – Grand Jury. United States Attorneys' Manual. February 19, 2015. United States Department of Justice. April 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180902161255/https://www.justice.gov/usam/usam-9-11000-grand-jury#9-11.151. September 2, 2018. live.
  221. News: February 6, 2018 . David . Jackson . Kevin . Johnson . Trump still won't commit to testifying under oath in Mueller investigation. USA Today. February 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613195717/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/06/trump-still-wont-commit-testifying-under-oath-mueller-investigation/310779002/. June 13, 2018. live.
  222. News: White House Legal Team Considers Ways Trump Could Testify Before Mueller. Nicholas. Peter. February 25, 2018. The Wall Street Journal. February 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180225120557/https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-legal-team-considers-ways-trump-could-testify-before-mueller-1519560120. February 25, 2018. live.
  223. News: Trump's lawyers have turned over documents to Mueller with hopes of limiting interview scope. Carol D.. Leonnig. March 19, 2018. The Washington Post. March 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180319234452/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-lawyers-have-turned-over-documents-to-mueller-with-hopes-of-limiting-interview-scope/2018/03/19/9174cd54-2b9f-11e8-b0b0-f706877db618_story.html. March 19, 2018. live.
  224. News: Mueller's team shoots down idea of written interview with Trump. Samuelsohn. Darren. May 8, 2018. Politico. May 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180508155439/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/08/trump-mueller-written-questions-573262. May 8, 2018. live.
  225. Web site: Maggie Haberman: "This investigation was closed without Trump ever sitting for a formal interview. His lawyers did not want him to and Mueller never sought a fight over subpoenaing the president. Written answers was what the Mueller team got.". Twitter.
  226. News: Trump submits written answers to Robert Mueller's questions . Smith . Allan . November 20, 2018 . . December 12, 2018.
  227. News: Jared Kushner's Real-Estate Firm Sought Money Directly From Qatar Government Weeks Before Blockade. Swisher. Clayton. Grim. Ryan. March 2, 2018. The Intercept. March 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303010321/https://theintercept.com/2018/03/02/jared-kushner-real-estate-qatar-blockade/. March 3, 2018. live.
  228. News: Mueller's Focus on Adviser to Emirates Suggests Broader Investigation. Mark. Mazzetti. David D.. Kirkpatrick. Maggie. Haberman. March 3, 2018. The New York Times. March 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180304020237/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/03/us/politics/george-nader-mueller-investigation-united-arab-emirates.html. March 4, 2018. live.
  229. News: Adviser to Emirates With Ties to Trump Aides Is Cooperating With Special Counsel. Mazzetti. Mark. March 6, 2018. The New York Times. March 7, 2018. Kirkpatrick. David D.. 0362-4331. Goldman. Adam. https://web.archive.org/web/20180307000026/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/06/us/politics/george-nader-special-counsel-mueller-cooperating-seychelles.html. March 7, 2018. live.
  230. Mueller report, vol.1, p.151
  231. Web site: Putin ally suggests Seychelles meeting more than chance encounter. ABC News. https://web.archive.org/web/20180524224656/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/putin-ally-seychelles-meeting-erik-prince-chance-encounter/story?id=55408942. May 24, 2018. live.
  232. News: As Mueller probes Seychelles meetings, details emerge about Russian plane: exclusive . May 17, 2018 . . Erin . Banco . May 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181016210947/https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/05/new_details_emerge_on_russian_aircraft_in_seychell.html . October 16, 2018 . live .
  233. News: Blackwater founder held secret Seychelles meeting to establish Trump-Putin back channel. Adam. Entous. Greg. Miller. Kevin. Sieff. Karen. DeYoung. April 3, 2017. The Washington Post. March 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170403235610/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/blackwater-founder-held-secret-seychelles-meeting-to-establish-trump-putin-back-channel/2017/04/03/95908a08-1648-11e7-ada0-1489b735b3a3_story.html. April 3, 2017. live.
  234. News: December 1, 2017 . Prince details meeting with Russian banker. Manu. Raju. Jeremy. Herb. Marshall. Cohen. CNN. March 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306105409/https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/30/politics/erik-prince-testimony-details-seychelles-meeting-russian-banker/index.html. March 6, 2018. live.
  235. News: Mueller gathers evidence that 2017 Seychelles meeting was effort to establish back channel to Kremlin . Sari. Horwitz . Devlin. Barrett. March 7, 2018. The Washington Post. March 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180308004833/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mueller-gathers-evidence-that-2016-seychelles-meeting-was-effort-to-establish-back-channel-to-kremlin/2018/03/07/b6a5fb8c-224b-11e8-94da-ebf9d112159c_story.html. March 8, 2018. live.
  236. News: Pierre . Thomas . James Gordon . Meek . Trump supporter, Putin ally meeting may not have been by chance: Sources. April 6, 2018. ABC News. April 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180406114500/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mueller-evidence-raising-questions-prince-testimony-meeting-russian/story?id=54277090. April 6, 2018. live.
  237. Web site: 'Man of mystery' cooperates with Mueller in Russia probe. Shimon . Kara . Scannell . Sara . Murray. Prokupecz. CNN. March 7, 2018.
  238. News: March 7, 2018 . 'Man of mystery' cooperates with Mueller in Russia probe. Shimon. Prokupecz. Kara. Scannell. Sara. Murray. CNN. March 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180307015442/https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/06/politics/george-nader-robert-mueller/index.html. March 7, 2018. live.
  239. News: Mueller Probe Into U.A.E. Influence Broadens. Byron. Tau. Rebecca. Ballhaus. Aruna. Viswanatha. April 3, 2018. The Wall Street Journal. April 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180905201441/https://www.wsj.com/articles/mueller-probe-into-u-a-e-influence-broadens-1522718922. September 5, 2018. live.
  240. News: Witness in Mueller Inquiry Who Advises U.A.E. Ruler Also Has Ties to Russia. Mark. Mazzetti. David D.. Kirkpatrick. Ben. Protess. Sharon. LaFraniere. April 4, 2018. The New York Times. April 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180906100216/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/us/politics/george-nader-russia-uae-special-counsel-investigation.html. September 6, 2018. live.
  241. News: Mark . Mazzetti . Ronen . Bergman . David D. . Kirkpatrick . Trump Jr. and Other Aides Met With Gulf Emissary Offering Help to Win Election. May 19, 2018. . May 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613204813/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/19/us/politics/trump-jr-saudi-uae-nader-prince-zamel.html . June 13, 2018. live.
  242. Web site: . . November 30, 2017 . Testimony of Erik Prince . May 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181013104345/https://docs.house.gov/meetings/IG/IG00/20171130/106661/HHRG-115-IG00-Transcript-20171130.pdf . October 13, 2018 . live .
  243. News: October 8, 2018 . Mark . Mazzetti . Ronen . Bergman . David D. . Kirkpatrick . Maggie . Haberman . Trump Campaign Aide Requested Online Manipulation Plans From Israeli Intelligence Firm. The New York Times. October 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181008235200/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/08/us/politics/rick-gates-psy-group-trump.html. October 8, 2018. live.
  244. News: Jonathan . Swan . March 4, 2018 . Scoop: Mueller's hit list. Axios. March 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305003347/https://www.axios.com/robert-muller-questions-list-trump-russia-54d00d1c-f008-457c-b304-ee601a98d78c.html. March 5, 2018. live.
  245. News: March 5, 2018 . Katy . Tur . Alex . Johnson . Special counsel wants documents on Trump, numerous campaign associates. NBC News. March 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305041331/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/special-counsel-wants-documents-trump-numerous-campaign-associates-n853386. March 5, 2018. live.
  246. News: Former Trump aide Sam Nunberg called before grand jury, says he will refuse to go. Josh. Dawsey. March 5, 2018. The Washington Post. March 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305194000/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/former-trump-aide-sam-nunberg-called-before-grand-jury-says-he-will-refuse-to-go/2018/03/05/24c8b86a-20a9-11e8-badd-7c9f29a55815_story.html. March 5, 2018. live.
  247. News: Ex-Trump Aide Sam Nunberg Says He'd Defy Subpoena in Russia Probe. Rebecca. Ballhaus. March 5, 2018. The Wall Street Journal. March 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305210508/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ex-trump-aide-sam-nunberg-says-hed-defy-subpoena-in-russia-probe-1520283618. March 5, 2018. live.
  248. News: Ex-Trump aide Sam Nunberg changes tune, says he will cooperate with Mueller probe. Ashley. Parker. Josh. Dawsey. March 6, 2018. The Washington Post. March 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306212941/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ex-trump-aide-sam-nunberg-changes-tune-says-he-will-cooperate-with-mueller-probe/2018/03/06/e3f1d9b2-2160-11e8-94da-ebf9d112159c_story.html. March 6, 2018. live.
  249. News: Christopher Steele, the Man Behind the Trump Dossier. Jane. Mayer. March 5, 2018. The New Yorker. March 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305154848/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/12/christopher-steele-the-man-behind-the-trump-dossier. March 5, 2018. live.
  250. News: Russia says it stopped Mitt Romney from becoming secretary of State: report. Mallory. Shelbourne. March 5, 2018. The Hill. March 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305195626/http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/376746-russia-says-it-stopped-mitt-romney-from-becoming-secretary-of-state. March 5, 2018. live.
  251. News: March 26, 2012 . Romney: Russia is our number one geopolitical foe. CNN. March 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306142852/http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/26/romney-russia-is-our-number-one-geopolitical-foe/. March 6, 2018. live.
  252. News: December 13, 2016 . Shane . Goldmacher . Josh . Dawsey . Matthew . Nussbaum . Why Trump picked Rex Tillerson. Politico. March 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306142627/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/rex-tillerson-donald-trump-secretary-of-state-232581. March 6, 2018. live.
  253. News: Special counsel has examined episodes involving Michael Cohen, Trump's longtime lawyer. Rosalind S.. Helderman. Tom. Hamburger. Josh. Dawsey. March 6, 2018. The Washington Post. March 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306195701/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/special-counsel-has-examined-episodes-involving-michael-cohen-trumps-longtime-lawyer/2018/03/06/4a2bd064-1b37-11e8-b2d9-08e748f892c0_story.html. March 6, 2018. live.
  254. Web site: Kenneth P. . Vogel . Scott . Shane . Mark . Mazzetti . Iuliia . Mendel . Iuliia Mendel . Prosecutors Examining Ukrainians Who Flocked to Trump Inaugural. January 10, 2019. The New York Times. January 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190112170512/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/10/us/politics/ukraine-donald-trump-inauguration.html. January 12, 2019. live.
  255. News: Trump Ordered Mueller Fired, but Backed Off When White House Counsel Threatened to Quit. Michael S.. Schmidt. Maggie. Haberman. March 8, 2018. The New York Times. March 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180126011705/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/us/politics/trump-mueller-special-counsel-russia.html. January 26, 2018. live.
  256. News: August 18, 2018 . Michael S. . Schmidt . Maggie . Haberman . White House Counsel Has Cooperated Extensively With Mueller's Obstruction Inquiry. The New York Times. August 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180906092155/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/18/us/politics/don-mcgahn-mueller-investigation.html. September 6, 2018. live.
  257. News: Trump Spoke to Witnesses About Matters They Discussed With Special Counsel. Michael S.. Schmidt. Maggie. Haberman. March 7, 2018. The New York Times. March 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180307235856/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/07/us/politics/trump-witnesses-special-counsel-priebus-mcgahn.html. March 7, 2018. live.
  258. News: Mueller Subpoenas Trump Organization, Demanding Documents About Russia. Michael S.. Schmidt. Maggie. Haberman. March 15, 2018. The New York Times. March 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180315174949/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/us/politics/trump-organization-subpoena-mueller-russia.html. March 15, 2018. live.
  259. News: March 15, 2018 . Mueller seeks documents from Trump Organization, signaling possible scrutiny of the president's business dealings. Chris. Megerian. Joseph. Tanfani. Los Angeles Times. March 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316004855/http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-mueller-trump-subpoena-20180315-story.html. March 16, 2018. live.
  260. News: March 22, 2018 . Ackerman. Spencer. Poulsen. Kevin. Exclusive: 'Lone DNC Hacker' Guccifer 2.0 Slipped Up and Revealed He Was a Russian Intelligence Officer. The Daily Beast. March 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323000034/https://www.thedailybeast.com/exclusive-lone-dnc-hacker-guccifer-20-slipped-up-and-revealed-he-was-a-russian-intelligence-officer. March 23, 2018. live.
  261. News: March 30, 2018 . Tom . Winter. Trump ally questioned by FBI, served with Mueller subpoena in Boston. NBC News. March 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330234513/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-ally-detained-served-mueller-subpoena-boston-airport-n861456. March 30, 2018. live.
  262. News: Federal investigators question Ted Malloch in special counsel probe. March 31, 2018 . Shimon. Prokupecz. Jeremy. Herb. CNN. March 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330232747/https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/30/politics/fbi-malloch-questions-mueller/index.html. March 30, 2018. live.
  263. Web site: November 27, 2018 . Anna . Schecter . Mueller has emails from Stone pal Corsi about WikiLeaks Dem email dump. NBC News. November 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181127213946/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/mueller-has-emails-stone-pal-corsi-about-wikileaks-dem-email-n940611. November 27, 2018. live.
  264. News: May 2, 2018 . Former Trump Aide Is Being Interviewed by Mueller – and Producing Russian Ballet. Olivia. Nuzzi. Intelligencer. May 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502183547/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/05/former-trump-aide-caputo-is-being-interviewed-by-mueller.html. May 2, 2018. dead.
  265. News: Paul Manafort's Ambition Set the Stage for His Downfall. Kenneth P.. Vogel. October 30, 2017. The New York Times. May 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518004732/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/30/us/politics/paul-manafort.html. May 18, 2018. live.
  266. News: Michael Caputo says 'it's clear' Mueller investigators focused on Russia collusion. May 3, 2018. Manu. Raju. CNN. May 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503210838/https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/02/politics/michael-caputo-mueller-investigator/index.html. May 3, 2018. live.
  267. News: Trump friend Tom Barrack was interviewed by special counsel team in December. Borger. Gloria. May 5, 2018. CNN. May 5, 2018. Foran. Clare. https://web.archive.org/web/20180505205006/https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/05/politics/tom-barrack-russia-investigation-trump/index.html. May 5, 2018. live.
  268. News: APNewsBreak: Mueller team questions Trump friend Tom Barrack. LoBianco. Tom. May 5, 2018. Associated Press. May 5, 2018. Lemire. Jonathan. Suderman. Alan. https://web.archive.org/web/20180505172648/https://apnews.com/6dd33b4234634079821e5825f112e85b. May 5, 2018. live.
  269. News: Diane . Bartz . AT&T payments to Trump lawyer more than reported. May 9, 2018. . May 10, 2018. Reuters. https://web.archive.org/web/20180510113833/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/09/att-payments-to-trump-lawyer-more-than-reported.html. May 10, 2018. dead.
  270. News: Novartis and AT&T Spoke to Mueller's Office About Payments to Michael Cohen. Thomas. Katie. May 9, 2018. The New York Times. May 10, 2018. Kang. Cecilia. 0362-4331. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509220529/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/09/business/novartis-att-cohen-mueller.html. May 9, 2018. live.
  271. News: AT&T says it was contacted by special counsel's office about Michael Cohen. Mangan. Dan. May 9, 2018. CNBC. May 10, 2018. Ruggiero. Ryan. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509231719/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/09/att-paid-trump-lawyer-cohen-up-to-6000000.html. May 9, 2018. live.
  272. Web site: Interview of: Glenn Simpson . . . August 22, 2017 . May 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181010135837/https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/3/9/3974a291-ddbe-4525-9ed1-22bab43c05ae/934A3562824CACA7BB4D915E97709D2F.simpson-transcript-redacted.pdf . October 10, 2018 . live .
  273. News: Secret intelligence source who aided Mueller probe is at center of latest clash between Nunes and Justice Dept.. Robert. Costa. Carol D.. Leonnig. Devlin. Barrett. Shane. Harris. May 8, 2018. The Washington Post. May 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517063203/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/risk-to-intelligence-source-who-aided-russia-investigation-at-center-of-latest-showdown-between-nunes-and-justice-dept/2018/05/08/d6fb66f8-5223-11e8-abd8-265bd07a9859_story.html. May 17, 2018. live.
  274. News: Nunes sought all documents on person described as longtime intelligence source. Devlin. Barrett. Carol D.. Leonnig. May 9, 2018. The Washington Post. May 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518070526/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/nunes-subpoena-to-justice-dept-requested-all-documents-about-individual-described-as-longtime-intelligence-source/2018/05/09/93fbc154-53c2-11e8-9c91-7dab596e8252_story.html. May 18, 2018. live.
  275. News: Suspicions, Demands and Threats: Devin Nunes vs. the Justice Dept.. Nicholas . Fandos . Katie . Benner . May 12, 2018. The New York Times. May 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518070417/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/12/us/politics/devin-nunes-justice-department-documents-special-counsel.html. May 18, 2018. live.
  276. News: Apuzzo. Matt. Matt Apuzzo. Goldman. Adam. Adam Goldman. Fandos. Nicholas. May 16, 2018. Code Name Crossfire Hurricane: The Secret Origins of the Trump Investigation. The New York Times. live. August 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180601134038/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/us/politics/crossfire-hurricane-trump-russia-fbi-mueller-investigation.html. June 1, 2018.
  277. News: October 30, 2017 . Tom . Winter . Tracy . Connor . Ken . Dilanian . Julia . Ainsley . Secret guilty plea of ex-Trump campaign adviser reveals Russian ties. NBC News. May 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518075459/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-campaign-adviser-george-papadopoulos-pleads-guilty-lying-n815596. May 18, 2018. live.
  278. News: Analysis – Who is the Trump-linked source who led the FBI to treat the dossier seriously?. Philip. Bump. January 9, 2018. The Washington Post. May 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518054853/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/01/09/who-is-the-trump-linked-source-who-led-the-fbi-to-treat-the-dossier-seriously/. May 18, 2018. live.
  279. Web site: January 3, 2018 . Natasha . Bertrand . 'It is time to stop chasing rabbits': Fusion GPS punches back at GOP critics in revealing op-ed. Business Insider. May 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518062412/http://www.businessinsider.com/time-to-stop-chasing-rabbits-fusion-gps-responds-to-gop-critics-2018-1. May 18, 2018. live.
  280. News: Adam . Goldman . Mark . Mazzetti . Matthew . Rosenberg . F.B.I. Used Informant to Investigate Russia Ties to Campaign, Not to Spy, as Trump Claims. May 18, 2018. The New York Times. May 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519010702/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/18/us/politics/trump-fbi-informant-russia-investigation.html. May 19, 2018. live.
  281. News: Secret FBI source for Russia investigation met with three Trump advisers during campaign . Robert . Costa . Carol D.. Leonnig. Tom. Hamburger. Devlin. Barrett. May 18, 2018. The Washington Post. May 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519014530/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/secret-fbi-source-for-russia-investigation-met-with-three-trump-advisers-during-campaign/2018/05/18/9778d9f0-5aea-11e8-b656-a5f8c2a9295d_story.html . May 19, 2018. live.
  282. Web site: May 18, 2018 . Ken Dilanian on Twitter . . May 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180519022822/https://twitter.com/KenDilanianNBC/status/997662536613924865 . May 19, 2018 . live .
  283. News: How the 'Bad Boys of Brexit' forged ties with Russia and the Trump campaign—and came under investigators' scrutiny . Manuel . Roig-Franzia . Rosalind S. . Helderman . William . Booth . Tom . Hamburger . June 28, 2018 . . June 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180628231646/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-the-bad-boys-of-brexit-forged-ties-with-russia-and-the-trump-campaign--and-came-under-investigators-scrutiny/2018/06/28/6e3a5e9c-7656-11e8-b4b7-308400242c2e_story.html . June 28, 2018 . live .
  284. Web site: Trump adviser sought WikiLeaks emails via Farage ally, Mueller document alleges . Jon . Swaine . November 28, 2018 . . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129002459/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/28/ted-malloch-wikileaks-information-trump-campaign-mueller-investigation . November 29, 2018 . live .
  285. Web site: Michael Cohen spoke to Mueller team for hours; asked about Russia, possible collusion. George . Stephanopoulos . Eliana . Larramendia . James . Hill . September 20, 2018. ABC News. September 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180921000523/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/michael-cohen-spoke-mueller-team-hours-asked-russia/story?id=57959664. September 21, 2018. live.
  286. News: September 20, 2018 . Maggie . Haberman . Sharon . LaFraniere . Matthew . Rosenberg . Michael Cohen Has Spoken Repeatedly With Mueller's Prosecutors. The New York Times. September 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180921003315/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/20/us/politics/michael-cohen-mueller-interviews.html. September 21, 2018. live.
  287. News: Mystery Mueller mayhem at a Washington court . Katelyn . Polantz . Laura . Robinson . Em . Steck . Sam . Fossum . December 15, 2018 . . December 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181226163906/https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/14/politics/mueller-grand-jury-mysterious-friday/index.html . December 26, 2018 . live .
  288. News: October 24, 2018. Mueller link seen in mystery grand jury appeal. Josh. Gerstein. Darren. Samuelsohn. Politico. December 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181223121316/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/24/mueller-investigation-grand-jury-roger-stone-friend-938572. December 23, 2018. live.
  289. News: Prosecutors win court fight over secret subpoena of a foreign company . . Devlin . Barrett . December 18, 2018 . December 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222144048/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/prosecutors-win-court-fight-over-secret-subpoena-of-a-foreign-company/2018/12/18/b56dafac-0315-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html . December 22, 2018 . live .
  290. News: Mystery company involved in Mueller investigation appeals to Supreme Court . . December 23, 2018 . Katelyn . Polantz . December 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224012916/https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/22/politics/supreme-court-secret-court-case/index.html . December 24, 2018 . live .
  291. Web site: SCOTUS Puts Mystery Mueller Opponent Back in Contempt – Experts Suggest This Is a 'Strong Signal'. lawandcrime.com. January 8, 2019. January 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190109015228/https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/scotus-puts-mystery-mueller-opponent-back-in-contempt-experts-suggest-this-is-a-strong-signal/. January 9, 2019. live.
  292. Web site: Trump ally Tom Barrack posts $250m bail on charge of illegally boosting UAE. 24 July 2021. The Guardian. July 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210724154212/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/24/tom-barrack-posts-250m-bail-trump-foreign-agent-charge. July 24, 2021. live.
  293. Web site: Trump friend Tom Barrack says 'I'm 100% innocent' of illegal lobbying for the United Arab Emirates. 26 July 2021. CNBC. July 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210726171418/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/26/trump-friend-tom-barrack-set-for-arraignment-on-uae-lobbying-charges.html. July 26, 2021. live.
  294. News: Davis O’Brien . Rebecca . Former Trump Adviser Acquitted on Charges of Acting as Emirati Agent . The New York Times . November 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104160947/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/04/nyregion/trump-thomas-barrack-acquitted.html . November 4, 2022 . live.
  295. News: Mueller Scrutinized an Unidentified Member of News Media in Russia Inquiry. Charlie. Savage. Adam. Goldman. The New York Times . September 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210902010543/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/us/mueller-russia-media-investigated.html. September 2, 2021. live.
  296. News: Mueller Sought Emails of Trump Campaign Data Firm. Rebecca. Ballhaus. December 15, 2017. The Wall Street Journal. March 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20171215002100/https://www.wsj.com/articles/mueller-sought-emails-of-trump-campaign-data-firm-1513296899. December 15, 2017. live.
  297. News: Mueller requests emails from Trump campaign data firm: report. John. Bowden. December 14, 2017. The Hill. March 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180321063217/http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/365041-mueller-requests-emails-from-trump-campaign-data-firm-report. March 21, 2018. live.
  298. News: Mueller examining Cambridge Analytica, Trump campaign ties. March 22, 2018. Jonathan . Lemire . Associated Press. March 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180401003847/https://apnews.com/aeb8b38a3573406e9e207ef184376552/Mueller-examining-Cambridge-Analytica,-Trump-campaign-ties. April 1, 2018. live.
  299. Web site: Facebook data: How it was used by Cambridge Analytica. April 9, 2018. BBC News. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615061442/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-43674480/facebook-data-how-it-was-used-by-cambridge-analytica. June 15, 2018. live.
  300. News: Facebook says Cambridge Analytica may have had data on 87 million people. Kelly. Heather. April 4, 2018. . April 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180729082258/https://money.cnn.com/2018/04/04/technology/facebook-cambridge-analytica-data-87-million/index.html. July 29, 2018. live.
  301. News: Facebook says data leak hits 87 million users, widening privacy scandal . Ingram . David. April 5, 2018. Reuters. May 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180510104738/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-privacy/facebook-says-data-leak-hits-87-million-users-widening-privacy-scandal-idUSKCN1HB2CM. May 10, 2018. live.
  302. News: Matthew . Rosenberg . Nicholas . Confessore . Justice Department and F.B.I. Are Investigating Cambridge Analytica. May 15, 2018. The New York Times. May 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517230204/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/us/cambridge-analytica-federal-investigation.html. May 17, 2018. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Topics of the Mueller special counsel investigation".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.