Trump questions why ‘crooked H’ wasn’t prosecuted over e-mails
In a series of angry tweets over several hours, President Trump Thursday responded to reports that the special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russian tampering in the 2016 election is examining whether Trump attempted to obstruct justice.
“They made up a phony collusion with the Russians story, found zero proof, so now they go for obstruction of justice on the phony story,” the president tweeted, adding a seemingly sarcastic “Nice.”
They made up a phony collusion with the Russians story, found zero proof, so now they go for obstruction of justice on the phony story. Nice
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2017
A short time later, Trump ramped up his criticism with a new tweet, calling the investigation a “witch hunt” and calling its leaders “bad and conflicted.”
You are witnessing the single greatest WITCH HUNT in American political history - led by some very bad and conflicted people! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2017
It was not clear who Trump was referring to in the tweet, but former FBI director Robert Mueller is leading the Russia investigation after being appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in May.
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Later Thursday afternoon, Trump complained that he was being treated differently than Hillary Clinton, who was not prosecuted as a result of an FBI investigation into her use of a private e-mail server.
Why is that Hillary Clintons family and Dems dealings with Russia are not looked at, but my non-dealings are?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2017
Crooked H destroyed phones w/ hammer, 'bleached' emails, & had husband meet w/AG days before she was cleared- & they talk about obstruction?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2017
Trump allies have accused Mueller, the special counsel, of having a conflict of interest.
Accusations of obstruction arose last month when Trump fired FBI director James Comey. Comey testified in a Senate hearing last week that he believed he was fired ‘‘because of the Russia investigation.’’
Comey also testified he had told Trump he was not under investigation prior to his dismissal.
The Washington Post reported late Wednesday that special counsel Robert Mueller was seeking interviews with three Trump administration officials who weren’t involved in Trump’s campaign: Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence; Michael Rogers, the head of the National Security Agency; and Richard Ledgett, the former NSA deputy director.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report