Robert Mueller, the Justice Department’s Special Counsel, continues to expand his investigation into alleged collusion between Russian officials and President Donald Trump’s campaign team. How far the White House goes in cooperating with this investigation has become a contentious issue within Trump’s legal team, recent media reports suggest.
Thus far, the White House has not refused any request for documents or testimony relating to Mueller’s investigation. According to The New York Times, however, there is some disagreement over the extent of continued compliance with requests from the special counsel’s team. In July, Ty Cobb, an experienced Washington lawyer, was brought in to manage the White House response to the Russia collusion probe. The Times reports that Cobb has clashed with White House counsel Donald F. McGahn II over how best to respond to requests for more information.
A Differing Appproach To Mueller
While McGahn, who is himself due to answer questions from Mueller’s team, prefers a measured response to requests for information, Cobb is apparently pushing for total openness and cooperation. It is believed that Cobb thinks he can expedite the process and turn the spotlight away from the president himself.
Cobb believes that the investigation is hindering Trump’s agenda and needs to be dealt with swiftly. He has prepared several categories of documents for the special counsel but believes that McGahn is holding out on him.
Cobb apparently vented his feelings recently during a private lunch at a Washington, D.C. restaurant. During the conversation, overheard by a New York Times reporter, the lawyer stated that McGahn had relevant documents locked in a safe and that another member of the White House’s legal team was “a McGahn spy.” For his part, McGahn is concerned about his own position as it relates to what he should reveal to the Mueller investigation. There are questions of attorney-client privilege, and possibly, executive privilege. McGahn believes that the president may evoke the latter, at some point, and does not wish to compromise such a move.
Following the overheard remarks, The New York Times contacted the White House for comment, and Cobb subsequently received a dressing-down from both McGahn and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Cobb himself played down the friction during a weekend interview with The Times. “[McGahn] has been very helpful to me,” the criminal defense attorney said, “and whenever we have differences of opinion, we have been able to work them out professionally and reach consensus.”
How Far Will Mueller Go?
Despite no conclusive evidence of collusion between the Trump election campaign team and the Russians, there appears to be no end in sight for the investigation. To date, Mueller has brought in a total of 17 high-powered attorneys to assist in the probe. Mueller has broadened the scope of his inquiries to include some of Trump’s financial dealings; his reasoning, apparently, is to find individuals who may have some knowledge of the alleged collusion and, for reasons as yet unknown, be coerced into striking deals with the special counsel in exchange for pertinent information.
Mueller’s motives remain the subject of much suspicion, considering the fact that he is also looking into the firing of his long-time friend and colleague, former FBI Director James Comey. When the investigation eventually concludes – regardless of its findings – a storm of finger-pointing and legal wrangling is sure to follow.
