Via: Yahoo News
Two more bombshell reports published Friday afternoon delivered a one-two punch to the Trump White House regarding the investigation into its potential ties to Russia, capping off a week where each day dealt a fresh blockbuster blow to the administration.
In one, the Washington Post reported that the FBI’s Russia probe has identified a current advisor to the president as a “person of interest,” while a second New York Times story reported the commander-in-chief told visiting Russian officials that the firing of “nut job” FBI director James Comey had taken a weight off his shoulders.
“I just fired the head of the F.B.I. He was crazy, a real nut job,” said President Trump in a meeting with Russian officials last week, according to the Times report on a document summarizing the meeting. “I faced great pressure because of Russia. That’s taken off.”
Trump reportedly added that he wasn’t under investigation, which is potentially untrue as the president may not know the extent or specifics of the probe. The White House did not dispute the Times reporting on Trump’s quote.
The Washington Post story reported that the probe into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia had identified a senior White House adviser who is close to the president as a “significant person of interest.” The Post report also said that while the initial investigation was into coordination between Trump officials and Russia, sources said that it has expanded to include potential financial crimes committed by those close to Trump.
Two members of the Trump campaign and transition with reported ties to Russia – former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign chair Paul Manafort – are not current White House officials, meaning the Post reporting has identified a new connection.