Trump told Mueller more than 30 times he did not remember key events

President Trump told special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigators on more than 30 occasions that he did not recall, remember or have independent memories of key events throughout the Russia investigation, leading Mueller’s team to deem his written responses to questions “inadequate.”

In his detailed report on the probe, released to the public Thursday, Mueller revealed for the first time the results of his written interview with Trump. The special counsel’s questions covered Trump’s knowledge of the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting, Russian hacking during the election, the Trump Organization’s Moscow project and contacts with Russia during the 2016 election and transition.

Trump wrote to investigators he had “no recollection of learning at the time” about the June 2016 meeting between his son, son-in-law, campaign chairman and Russians who offered dirt on Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, “nor do I recall” learning of it during the campaign.

The president also wrote that he had “no independent recollection” of his whereabouts on the day of the meeting, though his schedule said he was in New York and in the building for at least part of the day.

{mosads}The Hill counted 37 instances when Trump said he did not remember events or matters about which he was asked. Mueller also wrote in his report that he found other answers to be “incomplete or imprecise.”

Mueller said he considered issuing a subpoena for Trump to sit for an interview but ultimately decided against it because it would have resulted in a lengthy legal battle.

“We determined that the substantial quantity of information we had obtained from other sources allowed us to draw relevant factual conclusions on intent and credibility,” the special counsel wrote.

Mueller said that, beginning in December 2017, he sought an interview with Trump for more than a year because the president was a subject of the investigation and his answers were considered “vital” for determining whether there were links between the Trump campaign and Russia and if he obstructed the probe.

Ultimately, Trump agreed to answer questions about interactions with Russia and not matters related to obstruction. The president’s personal lawyers believed that allowing him to sit for an interview would have resulted in a “perjury trap.”

Mueller made it clear he was unhappy with the written question-and-answer, saying Trump’s answers “’demonstrate the inadequacy of the written format, as we have had no opportunity to ask follow-up questions that would ensure complete answers and potentially refresh your client’s recollection.’”

Trump in the past has boasted about his memory, saying in October 2017 that he has “one of the great memories of all time.”