Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor leading the FBI investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow, has expanded his inquiry to examine whether the US president tried to influence the Russia probe in a manner that obstructed justice, according to US media.
The Washington Post said Mr Mueller was preparing to interview two top intelligence officials about their interactions with President Donald Trump. The move appears to confirm the suggestion from James Comey, the recently ousted director of the FBI, who last week told Congress that he was sure that Mr Mueller was investigating the possibility that the president had obstructed justice.
The White House did not refute the claims in the Washington Post report. Mark Corallo, spokesman for the lawyer hired by Mr Trump to handle the Russia probe, did not comment on whether the White House contested the claims. He said only that “the FBI leak of information regarding the president is outrageous, inexcusable and illegal”. Mr Mueller’s office declined to comment, while the National Security Agency said it would “fully co-operate” with Mr Mueller but refused to comment further.