Qatari officials have reportedly chosen not to share information they have gathered regarding White House adviser Jared Kushner to special counsel Robert Mueller.
Officials reportedly have information regarding alleged influence by the United Arab Emirates on Trump associates, including Kushner, NBC News reported. The evidence includes information about secret meetings.
Three sources familiar with the discussions said the Qatari officials don’t want to hand over the evidence to Mueller because they don’t want to negatively affect the relationship with the Trump administration.
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A report earlier this month said Mueller’s team of investigators was looking into whether an adviser to the de facto leader of the United Arab Emirates has influenced White House policymaking.
Mueller has been investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and whether there was possible collusion with the Trump campaign.
The report said Mueller’s team was looking into a Lebanese-American businessman and adviser to the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the crown prince of the UAE.
That businessman, George Nader, visited the White House frequently last year, according to the report. Investigators are examining Nader’s role in the White House’s policymaking and asking about efforts by the Emiratis to influence the Trump administration.
According to the report, investigators have been asking witnesses about possible attempts by the Emiratis to buy influence in the White House by supporting President Trump‘s 2016 campaign.
Mueller’s probe has recently filed a superseding indictment against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and secured a guilty plea from Richard Gates, a former Trump campaign aide and associate of Manafort’s.