President Donald Trump is denying a report that he ordered the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller last June, a move that the president eventually backed away from when White House counsel Donald McGahn threatened to resign.
“Fake News. Typical New York Times. Fake Stories,” Mr. Trump said Friday at the World Economic Forum in Davos. McGahn allegedly refused to order the Justice Department to fire Mueller because he disagreed with the President’s reasoning, according to The New York Times.
The explosive article comes just as the president said that he is willing to be interviewed by Mueller, the former FBI director who was appointed last May to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. Mueller is also exploring whether Trump’s firing of former FBI director James Comey represents an obstruction of justice.
Trump has repeatedly denied any interest in firing Mueller, despite rumors that it could be a possibility.
“That’s never been on the table, never,” White House lawyer John Dowd told USA Today in August. ”It’s a manifestation of the media. My dealings with Bob Mueller have always been cordial, respectful — the way it should be.”
Trump said Wednesday that he would be willing to speak with Mueller under oath.
”I am looking forward to it, actually,“ he said. ”Here is the story: There has been no collusion whatsoever. There is no obstruction whatsoever. And I am looking forward to it.“