Special counsel Robert Mueller has focused on events since the election, not during the campaign, in his dealings with President Donald Trump's lawyers, indicating that his focus is on obstruction of justice while in office, rather than collusion with Russia during the campaign, Axios reported on Monday.
In those conversations, Mueller has expressed interest in two topics: the firings of FBI Director James Comey and national security adviser Michael Flynn. Trump himself has linked the dismissal of Comey to Russia, and Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about talks with the Russian ambassador during the transition.
Mueller and Trump's lawyers are hoping to work out the specifics of a presidential interview within the next few weeks, with the main dispute focusing on whether it will be in person, in writing, or some combination of the two.
In a series of tweets over the weekend, Trump for the first time attacked Mueller by name in an apparent attempt to discredit his eventual findings.
Trump's tweetstorm, along with a statement by John Dowd, one of the president's personal attorneys representing him in the Russia probe, called for a quick end to the investigation, led to renewed speculation that Trump might fire Mueller, CNBC reported.
However, following that speculation, White House lawyer Ty Cobb issued a statement that the president is not considering or discussing the firing of the special counsel.