Trump says attorney general should stop Mueller probe ‘right now’

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to end a federal criminal probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election

world Updated: Aug 01, 2018 22:14 IST

(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 31, 2018 US President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Florida. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday publicly called upon his attorney general Jeff Sessions to end the Russia probe that has dogged his presidency from the very start and has resulted in the indictment of several members of his election campaign.

“This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further,” Trump tweeted.

He went on to defend Paul Manafort — his erstwhile campaign chair who is undergoing a criminal trial for tax evasion and bank fraud — suggesting that legendary mafia boss Al Capone had been treated better.

Trump has been unhappy with Sessions over the probe and has repeatedly called on him to end it, but the attorney general can’t as he recused himself from the investigation a long time ago. The investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller was ordered by deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who has shown no sign he is going to oblige the president.

Trump can fire both of them, but hasn’t.

First Published: Aug 01, 2018 20:15 IST