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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Trump-Russia inquiry: President denies trying to fire Robert Mueller | Trump-Russia inquiry: President denies trying to fire Robert Mueller |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| US President Donald Trump has described as "fake news" a report that he ordered the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller last June, but backed down when his own lawyer threatened to resign. | US President Donald Trump has described as "fake news" a report that he ordered the firing of special counsel Robert Mueller last June, but backed down when his own lawyer threatened to resign. |
| White House counsel Donald McGahn said the sacking would have a "catastrophic effect" on the presidency, the New York Times reported. | White House counsel Donald McGahn said the sacking would have a "catastrophic effect" on the presidency, the New York Times reported. |
| Mr Mueller is leading an inquiry into possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia to influence the US election. | Mr Mueller is leading an inquiry into possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia to influence the US election. |
| Both Moscow and Mr Trump deny this. | Both Moscow and Mr Trump deny this. |
| "Fake News. Typical New York Times. Fake Stories," Mr Trump said at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss town of Davos, where he gave a speech earlier in the day. | |
| He has also been speaking about other issues: | He has also been speaking about other issues: |
| Mr Mueller, a former FBI director, was appointed special counsel last May to look into the collusion allegations. | Mr Mueller, a former FBI director, was appointed special counsel last May to look into the collusion allegations. |
| His appointment came after Mr Trump had fired FBI director James Comey, saying in an interview it was because of "this Russia thing". Mr Mueller is also looking into whether that represented an obstruction of justice. | His appointment came after Mr Trump had fired FBI director James Comey, saying in an interview it was because of "this Russia thing". Mr Mueller is also looking into whether that represented an obstruction of justice. |
| Who is White House counsel Donald McGahn? | Who is White House counsel Donald McGahn? |
| A lawyer specialising in campaign finance, he has been described by the New York Times as having a "bare knuckle style" and a "personality to match Mr Trump's". He is also a guitarist in a rock band. | A lawyer specialising in campaign finance, he has been described by the New York Times as having a "bare knuckle style" and a "personality to match Mr Trump's". He is also a guitarist in a rock band. |
| Mr McGahn spent years working to loosen restrictions on campaign donations and served on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) before joining Mr Trump's campaign. Democrats on the body accused him of undermining the FEC's enforcement activities. | Mr McGahn spent years working to loosen restrictions on campaign donations and served on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) before joining Mr Trump's campaign. Democrats on the body accused him of undermining the FEC's enforcement activities. |
| During the campaign, Mr McGahn fought a series of legal battles, including defeating a bid to keep Mr Trump off the New Hampshire ballot on procedural grounds. | During the campaign, Mr McGahn fought a series of legal battles, including defeating a bid to keep Mr Trump off the New Hampshire ballot on procedural grounds. |
| Special Counsel Mueller learned of his near-dismissal in recent months, while his team interviewed past and present White House officials, the New York Times reports. | Special Counsel Mueller learned of his near-dismissal in recent months, while his team interviewed past and present White House officials, the New York Times reports. |
| As speculation mounted that Mr Mueller could be building an obstruction case against the president, Mr Trump allegedly argued that the special counsel had three conflicts of interest that should stop him heading the inquiry. | As speculation mounted that Mr Mueller could be building an obstruction case against the president, Mr Trump allegedly argued that the special counsel had three conflicts of interest that should stop him heading the inquiry. |
| These were said to be: | These were said to be: |
| The White House cited four unnamed sources. A later story in the Washington Post cited two people familiar with the episode. | The White House cited four unnamed sources. A later story in the Washington Post cited two people familiar with the episode. |
| Hints have continued in US media, including this December, that the president might fire the special counsel. His opponents in the Democratic party would see any such move as a bid to stifle justice, and it could trigger an effort to impeach Mr Trump. | Hints have continued in US media, including this December, that the president might fire the special counsel. His opponents in the Democratic party would see any such move as a bid to stifle justice, and it could trigger an effort to impeach Mr Trump. |
| However, Mr Trump in December denied that he was planning to fire Mr Mueller. | However, Mr Trump in December denied that he was planning to fire Mr Mueller. |
| In June, a friend of Mr Trump told US media the president was considering removing Mr Mueller, but White House officials publicly rejected his claims. | |
| "I don't want to get into a pissing match with the White House press shop, but I stand by the comments I made in June that the president was considering firing Robert Mueller," Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy told The Daily Beast after the most recent reports. | |
| In response to the latest reports, Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic vice-chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, warned that "firing the special counsel is a red line that the president cannot cross". | In response to the latest reports, Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic vice-chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, warned that "firing the special counsel is a red line that the president cannot cross". |
| "Any attempt to remove the special counsel, pardon key witnesses or otherwise interfere in the investigation would be a gross abuse of power," he said. | "Any attempt to remove the special counsel, pardon key witnesses or otherwise interfere in the investigation would be a gross abuse of power," he said. |
| Mr Trump said on Wednesday that he was willing to be questioned under oath by the Mueller inquiry. | Mr Trump said on Wednesday that he was willing to be questioned under oath by the Mueller inquiry. |
| He told reporters he was "looking forward" to it, subject to the advice of his lawyers, and that an interview could happen within two to three weeks. | He told reporters he was "looking forward" to it, subject to the advice of his lawyers, and that an interview could happen within two to three weeks. |