President Trump’s legal team is hoping to reach a decision on whether Trump will sit down with special counsel Robert Mueller by May 17, a new report says.
Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said “every day we swing a little different” on if the president’s lawyers will recommend Trump testify before Mueller, according to the Wall Street Journal. He added that some of the latest updates in Mueller’s investigation have prompted his legal counsel to err on the side of caution.
Giuliani disclosed that Trump’s original outlook was, “What do I have to lose? I’m telling the truth,” but the president has vowed to consider the recommendations of his legal team, which have reservations about Trump testifying.
Trump hasn’t agreed to sit down with Mueller, but earlier this year, he said he was “looking forward” to being interviewed by the special counsel.
“I’m looking forward to it, actually,” Trump told reporters in January, noting he would be willing to speak with Mueller under oath.
Outgoing White House lawyer Ty Cobb cautioned afterward that Trump was in a rush and meant only that he was willing to meet with Mueller.
In the past, Trump’s advisers have recommended he not interview with Mueller because they are worried that Trump could misspeak or lie to investigators, the New York Times reported in February.
But White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said last month there were ongoing discussions between Trump and his legal team about meeting with Mueller.
The Wall Street Journal report comes as Trump has become increasingly irked with Giuliani due to his recent media appearances where he has shared details about hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels, among other things, Politico and the Associated Press report.
After Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the investigation and FBI Director James Comey was fired in May, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller to spearhead the probe.
Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin during the 2016 campaign.
