Watch: Donald Trump rages against Robert Mueller and James Comey during fiery Fox News call-in
Trump also said his personal attorney Michael Cohen represented him ‘with this crazy Stormy Daniels deal’ having denied all knowledge of the matter previously
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday the hands-off approach he has taken to the US Justice Department given the probe into possible collusion between his campaign and Russia could change, comments that could reignite concerns he might move to impede the investigation.
“Because of the fact that they have this witch hunt going on with people in the Justice Department that shouldn’t be there, they have a witch hunt against the president of the United States going on, I’ve taken the position – and I don’t have to take this position and maybe I’ll change – that I will not be involved with the Justice Department,” Trump said during a phone interview with Fox News Channel.
During the call with Fox & Friends, Trump railed against former FBI director James Comey for what he said were illegal leaks of classified information, and suggested the Justice Department should be pursuing charges against him. Comey has said he never leaked any classified information.
“I am very disappointed in my Justice Department,” Trump said. “I may change my mind at some point, because what’s going on is a disgrace. It’s an absolute disgrace.”
Trump has frequently criticised Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his decision to recuse himself from matters relating to the Russia probe, and has blasted both Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the investigation, and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees it.
Many Democrats have expressed concern that Trump may try to remove either Rosenstein or Mueller.
Trump has denied there was any collusion between his campaign and Russia – and he did so again on Thursday – and Russia has denied interfering in the US election, as US intelligence agencies have charged.
Trump also said his personal attorney Michael Cohen represented him “with this crazy Stormy Daniels deal” and “from what I see, he did absolutely nothing wrong”.
Trump said previously he had no knowledge of the US$130,000 payment Cohen made to porn actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair with Trump.
Cohen said on Wednesday he will assert his constitutional right against self-incrimination in a civil case brought by Daniels, who is seeking to invalidate the confidentiality agreement.
Trump says “no campaign funds” were used and says Cohen was being investigated over his business.
Trump also says Cohen was one of his many attorneys.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
