Trump says he authorized White House staff to cooperate with Mueller

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WASHINGTON, Aug 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – US President Donald Trump said
Saturday he had authorized White House counsel Don McGahn and other staffers
to “fully cooperate” with the investigation into alleged collusion between
his campaign and Moscow.

Trump’s remarks came after The New York Times reported that McGahn had
“cooperated extensively” with the investigation by special counsel Robert
Mueller, taking part in at least three interviews with investigators totaling
30 hours.

“I allowed White House Counsel Don McGahn, and all other requested members
of the White House Staff, to fully cooperate with the Special Counsel,” Trump
tweeted.

“In addition we readily gave over one million pages of documents. Most
transparent in history. No Collusion, No Obstruction. Witch Hunt!”

Trump views the investigation headed by special counsel Robert Mueller as
a stain on his presidency, and has repeatedly pushed for it to be ended. The
Times reported that McGahn had provided “detailed accounts” about episodes
relating to whether Trump sought to obstruct justice, citing a dozen current
and former officials and other sources.

The information McGahn provided included the president’s attempts to fire
the special counsel, and Trump’s comments and actions during his firing of
FBI director James Comey, according to the Times.

The newspaper said it was unclear whether Trump knew the extent of
McGahn’s cooperation, noting that it is rare for a lawyer be so open with
investigators.