Trump says Rosenstein assured him he is not a Mueller target

President Trump on Thursday dismissed special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into his former associates and his presidential campaign in a New York Times interview in which the president said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told him the probe does not view him as a target.

In the interview, Trump says Rosenstein has made clear to him that he is “not a subject” of Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

{mosads}“He told the attorneys that I’m not a subject, I’m not a target,” Trump said.

“Rod told me I’m not a target of the investigation,” the president added, while suggesting he had not spoken with Rosenstein directly. “The lawyers ask him. They say, ‘He’s not a target of the investigation.’ ”

Trump has often derided the special counsel probe, calling it a “witch hunt” and a “hoax,” frequently adding that there was “no collusion” between Russia and his presidential campaign.

In the interview, Trump also maintained that he had nothing to do with an effort to have Roger Stone contact WikiLeaks on the Trump campaign’s behalf, as alleged in court filings. Stone allegedly attempted to learn about troves of damaging emails stolen from the Democratic Party and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign before they were released publicly.

“No, I didn’t. I never did,” Trump responded, when asked if he directed Stone to talk to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. “Never did.”

Stone, who was arrested last week and charged with multiple counts including witness tampering, has maintained his innocence and has entered a not guilty plea.