Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer was interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team to discuss former FBI Director James Comey’s firing in May and President Trump’s meetings with Russian officials.
Mueller, who is spearheading the federal investigation into Russian meddling during the 2016 campaign and whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians, pressed Spicer for details on Monday about Comey and Trump’s meetings with Russian officials, according to Politico. The interview reportedly lasted the majority of the day.
In September it was reported that Mueller was interested in interviewing White House aides to see what they knew about the investigation into Mike Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser. Mueller has also asked for documents concerning Flynn and a Justice Department warning about Flynn’s ties to a Russian diplomat.
Flynn was forced to resign from his post on Feb. 13 due to disingenuous statements about his communications with Russian officials. Trump met with Comey in the Oval Office the following day. Comey later testified to Congress that Trump asked him if there was a way to let Flynn go during the meeting.
Mueller is reportedly examining whether Trump obstructed justice in his interactions with Comey, although Trump has said he did not behave inappropriately.
Former White House chief of staff Reince Preibus was also interviewed by Mueller’s team last week. Keith Kellogg, who served as interim national security adviser following Flynn’s firing, also spoke to the Mueller team.
Other White House officials, including communications director Hope Hicks and White House lawyer Don McGahn, are expected to be interviewed by Mueller’s team, but they have yet to be scheduled.
