The White House has said Donald Trump "has no intention" of sacking the special counsel investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
The president's personal friend, Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy said late Monday that Trump was considering terminating Mueller.
The probe reportedly zeroed in on Trump after he fired then-FBI Director James Comey in May, who testified last week he believed he was terminated because of his investigation into Russia's influence on the election.
Mueller was named by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein eight days after Comey's dismissal to lead the Russian Federation investigation as a special counsel, a position created to conduct investigations when a normal Justice Department probe would present a conflict of interest or in other extraordinary circumstances.
"This is the first time that the ongoing investigation, which has hung over Trump since his inauguration, has potentially implicated the president himself", newspaper reported.
Trump wrote in his letter firing Comey that the ousted FBI director had informed him on three separate occasions he was not under investigation.
US Attorney-General Jeff Sessions has vehemently denied any collusion with Russian Federation to tilt the election in Mr Donald Trump's favour, branding the suggestion an "appalling and detestable lie". During the 21/2-hour hearing, he engaged in testy exchanges with several senators who pressed him for details on his discussions with Mr Trump - which he refused to provide in the name of confidentiality.
The investigation into the president began "a few days after" Comey's May 9 sacking, the Washington Post reported. Now it appears Mr Mueller is examining the president's own conduct, which may include whether Mr Trump tried to obstruct justice.
Queen hails London firefighters after blaze
At least 17 people are now known to have died in the fire and relatives are appealing for help tracing missing relatives. Assistant Commissioner Dan Daly says on the London Fire Brigade's Facebook page that it's a large and very serious fire.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who's really the key player here?
"I don't think it's for me to say whether the conversation I had with the President was an effort to obstruct", Comey said. "I hope you can let this go".
"The FBI leak of information regarding the president is outrageous, inexcusable and illegal", Mark Corallo, a spokesman for Kasowitz, was quoted as saying.
Last week, former FBI Director James Comey told Congress he believes he was sacked by Trump to undermine the agency's Russian Federation probe.
BARRETT: Right. And if you think back to Comey's testimony, he says pretty clearly that he believes his firing was an attempt to change the course of the Russian Federation investigation. He cited the recommendation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein.
Sidlow wonders why Senators didn't question Sessions over why he said Comey's firing came because the Federal Bureau of Investigation was in disarray.
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called the accusation in the Post unfounded and said it "changes nothing".
Comments