Trump thought Mueller’s probe would end his presidency, report says
The version, published earlier in the day by the US Department of Justice stated that Trump had deemed Mueller's appointment as "terrible"
WASHINGTON, April 18. /TASS/. Robert Mueller’s appointment as Special Counsel in order to investigate Russia’s meddling in the US 2016 election has caused a strong reaction from US President Donald Trump, who considered it "the end of his presidency", a version of a Mueller report published by the US Department of Justice informs.
"In May 2017, after President Trump learned from then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had appointed special counsel Robert Mueller, Trump "slumped back in his chair and said, ‘Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency,’" the report states.
"The President returned to the consequences of the appointment and said, 'Everyone tells me if you get one of these independent counsels it ruins your presidency. It takes years and years and I won't be able to do anything. This is the worst thing that ever happened to me,’" the report continues.
The Mueller probe
The FBI, as well as the intelligence committees of the US Senate and House of Representatives, have been handling the investigation into Russia’s alleged interference into the 2016 US presidential election.
In May 2017, the US Department of Justice announced that former FBI Chief Robert Mueller had been appointed as special counsel to investigate alleged Russian interference, shortly after Trump fired James Comey from his FBI chief’s post. According to the Washington Post daily, Mueller is using documents compiled by Comey in his investigation.
A report by US Attorney General William Burr published on March 24 has confirmed that there was no collusion between Moscow and the Donald Trump presidential campaign. However, the document claims that Russia attempted to influence the outcome of the US 2016 presidential election through cyberattacks, as well as through the activities of Russia’s Internet Research Agency.
Trump and key members of his team have been repeatedly rejecting all the accusations concerning any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Moscow has also been refuting these allegations.