Trump under investigation over Russia collusion: report

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is under investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller but is not currently considered a criminal target, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

Mueller is investigating possible collusion between Russia and Republican campaign, a probe the president has denounced as a “witch hunt.”

The newspaper, quoting three anonymous sources, said that Mueller considers Trump a subject of the investigation, meaning there is currently not enough evidence to bring criminal charges.

The Post said Mueller also told President’s lawyers that he was preparing a report about the president’s actions while in office and potential obstruction of justice.

“Mueller reiterated the need to interview President— both to understand whether he had any corrupt intent to thwart the Russia investigation and to complete this portion of his probe,” the newspaper said.

It said President and some in his inner circle interpreted Mueller’s words as assurance that his risk of criminal jeopardy was low, while other advisers cautioned that Mueller was baiting Trump into an interview that could put him in greater legal danger.

Mueller, a former FBI director and federal prosecutor, was named last May to investigate possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

US intelligence agencies say Russian President Vladimir Putin himself was behind a hacking and disinformation effort to disrupt the election and boost Trump’s chances of winning.