The White House on Wednesday defended President Trump after he urged Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a tweet to “stop” the federal Russia investigation “right now,” claiming the statement did not constitute obstruction of justice.
“The president is not obstructing, he’s fighting back,” press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters. “The president is stating his opinion, he’s stating it clearly [and] there’s a reason the president’s angry. Frankly, many Americans are angry as well.”
Trump issued his most direct demand yet earlier Wednesday that Sessions, who recused himself from the federal investigation into Russian election meddling, put an end to the yearlong probe.
“Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to the USA!” Trump tweeted.
..This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to USA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2018
The latest attack came on the heels of a weekend tweetstorm in which Trump accused Mueller of hiding various conflicts of interest that would normally preclude him from investigating the president. Trump did not identify any specific alleged conflicts of interest.
The tweet also came as the trial of Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort entered its second day at a federal courthouse in Alexandria, Va. The former lobbyist, who faces several charges that include bank fraud and money laundering, is being tried as part of the special counsel investigation.
Sanders said Trump is eager for the federal probe to wrap up, a sentiment he and his outside attorney Rudy Giuliani have frequently expressed in recent months. Giuliani has repeatedly claimed Mueller intends to conclude the investigation prior to the November midterm elections, however the special counsel Robert Mueller’s team has declined to confirm a specific timeline.
“We certainly think it should be completed. We’d like it to be completed sooner rather than later,” she said, adding that Trump has “allowed this process to play out, but he thinks it’s time it come to an end.”
