According to a new report, President Donald Trump is looking into ways to get around Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s investigation into claims that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential election.
As part of Trump’s efforts, the president has reportedly asked whether he would be able to pardon people related to this investigation, including staff and family members and even himself.
According to the Washington Post, Trump’s staff are also compiling a list of Mueller’s alleged conflicts of interest when it comes to the investigation in an attempt to discredit him and possibly get him removed from the case if he oversteps what Trump feels are his boundaries in the investigation.
In particular, Trump appears to be worried that Mueller will attempt to look into his finances and his family’s finances. Trump had refused to release his tax returns during the presidential campaign and has continued on that hard line since being elected.
“The fact is that the President is concerned about conflicts that exist within the special counsel’s office and any changes in the scope of the investigation,” Jay Sekulow, one of the president’s private lawyers, told the Post.
“The scope is going to have to stay within his mandate. If there’s drifting, we’re going to object.”