Washington: As the Russia probe intensifies, it has been reported that senior White House adviser and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has turned over documents in recent weeks to special counsel Robert Mueller. Investigators are reportedly zeroing in on his role in the firing of FBI director James Comey, the CNN reported.
Mr Mueller’s investigators who are looking into the alleged Russia meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections have expressed an interest in Mr Kushner. This new development means the spotlight could now be on Mr Trump’s inner circle.
The investigators are also looking for potential obstruction of justice in Mr Comey’s firing, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. White House sources, however, have indicated that Mr Kushner is not a target of the investigation. His attorneys have repeatedly said he will cooperate with Mr Mueller’s investigators.
Mr Kushner voluntarily turned over documents he had from the campaign and the transition and those related to any contacts with Russia, according to a source familiar with the matter. Mr Kushner has been widely reported to have pushed Mr Trump to fire Mr Comey, starting a chain of events which finally led to the Russia probe. He was also among three top Trump campaign officials who attended an infamous June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower with a Kremlin-backed lawyer. He also established multiple contacts with Russians and other foreign nationals that he did not initially disclose on forms when he joined the government.
A White House official told CNN the Mueller team’s questions about Mr Kushner did not come as a surprise. He would be among a list of people the investigators would be asking about, the source said. On Monday, former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates had been indicted and charged with money laundering.
