Administration

Trump tweets quotes backing claim of no collusion with Russia: ‘Witch hunt’

President Trump on Tuesday tweeted a series of quotes arguing there was a lack of evidence showing collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential race.

The president quoted Jonathan Turley and former special counsel Ken Starr, before saying in a subsequent tweet: “WITCH HUNT.”

“‘I’ve been skeptical about the collusion and obstruction claims for the last year. I just don’t see the evidence….in terms of the collusion, it’s all a bit implausible based on the evidence we have.’ Jonathan Turley on @FoxNews,” Trump tweeted.

“‘We’ve seen NO EVIDENCE OF COLLUSION….I have seen nothing, the firing of James Comey and all of the aftermath, that suggests that the President has obstructed justice because he’s exercising his power as the President of the U.S. I just don’t see it.’ Judge Ken Starr.”

There are currently multiple investigations into Russian election interference and potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

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Trump has repeatedly denied collusion between his campaign and Russia.

The tweets come after Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee over the weekend released their memo countering a Republican-crafted document that alleged surveillance abuses at the Justice Department.

The Democratic memo charges that the Republican memo was wrong to assert the FBI’s investigation of Russian election interference resulted from the findings of the so-called Steele dossier — an unverified, private opposition research document alleging Trump’s ties to Russia.

They also follow a report this past weekend that said Trump’s lawyers are weighing options for testimony before special counsel Robert Mueller. Trump has in the past expressed a willingness to testify before Mueller in his investigation of whether there was collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Mueller’s probe is continuing to widen its reach.

Former Trump campaign aide Richard Gates last week pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal with Mueller on charges of conspiracy against the United States and making a false statement to the FBI.

Mueller last week filed a new, 32-count indictment against Gates and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort that contains the allegation that he took part in illegal lobbying work and committed financial crimes.

The Department of Justice announced earlier this month charges against 13 Russian nationals and three Russian organizations accused of attempting to interfere in the 2016 election.