President of the United States Donald Trump has for the first time said that he is ready to be questioned under oath as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential election. The president said that he was “looking forward” to it, a decision subject to the advice from his lawyers. This comes as a surprise as Donald Trump has previously said that he thought an interview was “unlikely” because there had been no conspiracy.
Investigators are assessing as to whether the Trump campaign schemed with Russia a plan that would influence the election in his favor. Both the president and Russia have denied the allegations. The investigation will also determine whether Trump obstructed the inquiry.
The United States intelligence community has already concluded that Moscow tried to sway the presidential election to work in favor of Trump. The president had previously said that the interview was unnecessary as there had been no conspiracy. He has even called the Russia investigation a “witch hunt” and a “hoax”.
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, the president maintained that he was “absolutely” prepared to be questioned by the top investigator under oath.
What is the process of Trump’s questioning?
Donald Trump’s lawyers have been talking extensively to the investigation team about the interview, and how it will take place. The investigation team is led by justice department special counsel Robert Mueller. The meeting could take place one-on-one, in writing, or a combination of both. When Trump was asked when the interview would take place, he said that it would probably last for two to three weeks. When he was asked whether he thought that Mr. Robert Mueller would be fair, the president said that they were going to find out, but he hoped so.
Only last week, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions was interviewed by the Mueller inquiry for several hours. Sessions are the country’s top prosecutor, and he is thought to be the first member of the Trump cabinet to be interviewed. At the moment, four people have already been criminally charged under Mueller’s investigation.
Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI meeting with one Russian ambassador. Paul Manafort, the president’s former campaign manager was charged with conspiring to defraud the US in dealing with Ukraine. Manafort’s associate Rick Gates was charged with conspiracy to launder money. George Papadopoulos, an advisor to the campaign also pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
