The business dealings of Jared Kushner have become a focus in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, according to a Washington Post report Thursday night.
Mueller was named by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein eight days after Comey's dismissal to lead the Russian Federation investigation as a special counsel, a position created to conduct investigations when a normal Justice Department probe would present a conflict of interest or in other extraordinary circumstances.
"Less than a month earlier, Gingrich had praised Mueller as a "superb choice to be special counsel" with an "impeccable" reputation for honesty and integrity".
Trump denied Comey's allegations and said he would be willing to go under oath to give his version of their interactions.
A spokesman for Trump's lawyer did not refute the notion that Trump was under examination, but decried what he said were leaks that the led to the story.
Trump also trained his fire on one-time rival Hillary Clinton.
The emergence of the obstruction of justice inquiry may make it harder for Trump to have Mueller removed.
Moreover, the Senate intelligence committee has already grilled several high-ranking officials - including Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers and Attorney General Jeff Sessions - about whether Trump sought to interfere with the Russian Federation investigation and the criminal probe into his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
Coats and Rogers told a Senate panel a week ago they did not feel pressured by Trump to intervene in the case, but declined to say what Trump asked them to do. He said he believed Trump had directed him to drop a related agency investigation into the president's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
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The revelation that special counsel Mueller is examining whether Trump obstructed justice came just one week after Comey confirmed that he had privately assured the president - beginning in January - that he was not personally under investigation.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Mueller, who is leading the FBI's investigation of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin, has requested interviews with three current or former senior intelligence officials.
A close Trump associate said this week the president was considering firing Mueller, although the White House later denied it.
So, the news now begs the question: What does all of this mean for the question of how likely, or unlikely, Trump is to be impeached? Mueller is overseeing a host of investigations involving people who are or were in Trump's orbit, people familiar with the probe were quoted as saying. "This is the biggest act-I want you to pay attention-of retribution we have ever seen from the deep state in the history of this country".
The White House has denied any collusion, and Trump has repeatedly complained about the probe, saying Democrats can not accept his election win.
The news comes as the Justice Department continues its investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and the Trump administration's potential ties to Russia.
Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, would not comment on whether Mueller was looking at possible obstruction of justice by Trump but said Congress "certainly needs to get to the bottom" of the issue.
The Post said both men refused the president's request.
Mueller met Wednesday with the leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee in an effort to ensure their investigations don't conflict.
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