Trump again calls Russia probe 'witch hunt' as possible 1st indictment looms

President 's lawyer said Trump wasn't referring to the special counsel probe.

ByABC News
October 29, 2017, 3:55 PM

— -- President Donald Trump in a series of tweets Sunday morning repeated his prior assertions that a federal investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and potential ties to his presidential campaign is a political "witch hunt."

The president's tweets came as special counsel Robert Mueller's team has sought its first charges in the probe, with a possible announcement of an indictment to come as soon as Monday.

Sources tell ABC News the special counsel team has sought charges against at least one unidentified target.

The president's lawyer handling the response to the Russia investigation said Trump's tweets Sunday are not related to the special counsel's activities.

“Contrary to what many have suggested, the president’s comments today are unrelated to the activities of the special counsel, with whom he continues to cooperate,” lawyer Ty Cobb said.

PHOTO: Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs Capitol Hill following a closed door meeting in Washington, June 21, 2017.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller departs Capitol Hill following a closed door meeting in Washington, June 21, 2017.

Trump tweeted that there is Republican "anger" over a failure to investigate Democrats' helping to fund research into possible links between the Trump campaign and Russia that led to an infamous dossier. Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Democratic National Committee have acknowledged that they helped to fund the dossier.

It's unclear what is the source of Trump's suggestion that Democrats paid $12 million for the dossier.

The Clinton campaign and the DNC paid law firm Perkins Coie $12.4 million during the 2016 campaign for representation, according to The New York Times. Perkins Coie hired another company for work that led to the dossier but it is unclear how much the law firm paid that company.

The president also suggested that the focus on the Russia investigations is an attempt to undercut Republicans' push for "historic tax cuts."

All of this "Russia" talk right when the Republicans are making their big push for historic Tax Cuts & Reform. Is this coincidental? NOT!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 29, 2017

CNN first reported a federal grand jury approved charges brought by Mueller’s team.

Attorneys from Mueller's office were at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., on Friday, including one of his senior prosecutors who specializes in fraud cases. ABC News confirmed a filing was made at the court Friday.

It's unclear at this point how significant this potential action might be.

Mueller is investigating whether there was any collusion between members of the Trump presidential campaign and Russia in connection with the 2016 election. The special counsel has also been probing the financial dealings of some key Trump associates.

Sources close to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort told ABC News that they have no indication that any charges against him may be imminent.

ABC News also reached out to people associated with former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and has so far not received a comment in response.

Related Topics

ABC News Live

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

CNN first reported a federal grand jury approved charges brought by Mueller’s team.

Attorneys from Mueller's office were at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., on Friday, including one of his senior prosecutors who specializes in fraud cases. ABC News confirmed a filing was made at the court Friday.

It's unclear at this point how significant this potential action might be.

Mueller is investigating whether there was any collusion between members of the Trump presidential campaign and Russia in connection with the 2016 election. The special counsel has also been probing the financial dealings of some key Trump associates.

Sources close to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort told ABC News that they have no indication that any charges against him may be imminent.

ABC News also reached out to people associated with former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and has so far not received a comment in response.

","publishedDate":"2017-10-29T19:55:00Z","contributors":[{"name":"ABC News","url":"","role":"","logo":"","logoAlt":""}],"modifiedDate":"2017-10-30T11:35:49Z","section":"Politics","wordCount":486,"relatedTags":{"heading":"Related Topics","tags":[{"label":"Donald Trump","href":"/alerts/DonaldTrump"}]},"lead":{"ratio":"16x9","disableForMobile":false,"type":"xl","mediaType":"video","alignCaptionToBody":true},"ads":{"Sticky":{"kvps":{"test":true}},"RightRail":{"kvps":{"test":true}},"InlineBox":{},"InlineOutstream":{"disabled":false},"Taboola":{"position":"bottom","pageType":"article","config":{"network":"abcnews-abcnews","mode":"thumbnails-a","container":"taboola-below-article-thumbnails","type":"article","targetType":"mix","placement":"Below Article Thumbnails"}}},"featuredVideo":{"id":"50806558","type":"video","locator":"https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/trump-calls-russia-probe-witch-hunt-50806558","shortLocator":"http://abcn.ws/2zgStXz","issued":"2017-10-30T11:15:46Z","created":"2017-10-30T11:15:46Z","modified":"2017-10-30T15:24:06Z","date":"2017-10-30T11:15:46Z","keywords":["President Trump","tweets","Special Counsel Robert Mueller","Russian investigation","White House","reaction","Video","50806558"],"section":"GMA","title":"Trump calls Russia probe 'witch hunt'","headline":"Trump calls Russia probe 'witch hunt'","shortHeadline":"Trump calls Russia probe 'witch hunt'","linkHeadline":"Trump calls Russia probe 'witch hunt'","description":"ABC News' Jon Karl reports on the White House's reaction to reports that special counsel Robert Mueller's team has sought its first charges in the probe","leadInText":"ABC News' Jon Karl reports on the White House's reaction to reports that special counsel Robert Mueller's team has sought its first charges in the probe","duration":277000,"contents":{"image":{"id":"50810901","created":"2017-10-30T14:43:40Z","modified":"2017-10-30T14:44:12Z","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"name":"raw","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/171030_gma_karl_update_16x9_992.jpg"},{"name":"12x5","ratio":"12x5","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/171030_gma_karl_update_12x5_992.jpg"},{"name":"16x9","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/171030_gma_karl_update_16x9_992.jpg"},{"name":"4x3","ratio":"4x3","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/171030_gma_karl_update_4x3_992.jpg"},{"name":"4x5","ratio":"4x5","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/171030_gma_karl_update_4x5_992.jpg"}],"description":"VIDEO: Trump calls Russia probe 'witch hunt'"},"playlist":[{"id":"50806558","type":"video","streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2017/10/171030_gma_karl_update_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}}},{"id":"50807106","type":"video","streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2017/10/171030_gma_abrams_update_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}}},{"id":"50800305","type":"video","streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2017/10/171029_wn_wright_634_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}}}]},"streams":{"m3u8":{"16x9":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2017/10/171030_gma_karl_update_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"}},"transcript":{},"alertTag":"Russia","sectionRoot":"GMA","adFlag":true,"noAds":false,"isAmbient":false,"sponsored":false,"hideDate":false,"hideReportTypo":false},"featuredImage":null,"dateline":"—","seo":{"JSONLD":{"videoObject":{"name":"Trump calls Russia probe 'witch hunt'","description":"ABC News' Jon Karl reports on the White House's reaction to reports that special counsel Robert Mueller's team has sought its first charges in the probe","uploadDate":"2017-10-30T11:15:46Z","thumbnailUrl":[null,"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/171030_gma_karl_update_4x3_992.jpg?w=384","https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/171030_gma_karl_update_16x9_992.jpg?w=384"],"url":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2017/10/171030_gma_karl_update_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","contentUrl":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2017/10/171030_gma_karl_update_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","publisher":{"name":"ABC News","logo":{"url":"","@type":"ImageObject"},"@type":"Organization"},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","id":"https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/trump-calls-russia-probe-witch-hunt-50806558"},"duration":"PT4M37S"}}},"LivePromotion":{}},"autoUpdate":{"enabled":false,"topics":["general-elections-2020-balance-of-power"]}},"upw":{"balanceOfPower":{"electoral":{"header":"Biden Projected to be President-Elect","candidates":{"democrats":{"id":1036,"displayName":"Joe Biden","shortDisplayName":"J. Biden","firstName":"Joe","lastName":"Biden","party":"democrats","major":true,"incumbent":false,"winner":true,"votes":306},"republicans":{"id":8639,"displayName":"Donald Trump","shortDisplayName":"D. Trump","firstName":"Donald","lastName":"Trump","party":"republicans","major":true,"incumbent":true,"winner":false,"votes":232},"other":{"displayName":"Other","votes":0}},"parties":{"democrats":"democrats","republicans":"republicans"},"type":"electoral","votes":{"democrats":{"available":{},"total":306,"difference":{},"popular":{"displayValue":"81,283,098","value":81283098}},"republicans":{"available":{},"total":232,"difference":{},"popular":{"displayValue":"74,222,958","value":74222958}},"other":{"available":{},"total":0,"popular":{}},"total":538},"needed":{"displayText":"270 to win","displayValue":"270","value":270},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-18T21:15:13.850Z","displayValue":"December 18, 4:15:13PM ET"},"reporting":"99% of Expected Vote Reporting"},"senate":{"header":"Senate Seat Results","candidates":{"democrats":{"displayName":"Democrats","icon":"party-democrats","votes":46,"winner":false},"republicans":{"displayName":"Republicans","icon":"party-republicans","votes":50,"winner":false},"other":{"displayName":"Other","votes":2}},"parties":{"democrats":"democrats","republicans":"republicans"},"type":"senate","votes":{"democrats":{"available":{"displayText":"12 Democrats up for election","shortDisplayText":"12 Dems. up for election","displayValue":"12","value":12},"total":46,"difference":{"displayText":"Gained 1 seat","displayValue":"1","value":1},"popular":{}},"republicans":{"available":{"displayText":"23 Republicans up for election","shortDisplayText":"23 Reps. up for election","displayValue":"23","value":23},"total":50,"difference":{"displayText":"Lost 1 seat","displayValue":"-1","value":-1},"popular":{}},"other":{"available":{"displayText":"0 Others up for election","shortDisplayText":"0 Others up for election","displayValue":"0","value":0},"total":2,"popular":{}},"total":100},"needed":{"displayText":"51 for control","displayValue":"51","value":51},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-17T18:22:05.390Z","displayValue":"December 17, 1:22:05PM ET"}},"house":{"header":"House Results: Dems Retain Control","candidates":{"democrats":{"displayName":"Democrats","icon":"party-democrats","votes":222,"winner":true},"republicans":{"displayName":"Republicans","icon":"party-republicans","votes":210,"winner":false},"other":{"displayName":"Other","votes":0}},"parties":{"democrats":"democrats","republicans":"republicans"},"type":"house","votes":{"democrats":{"available":{"displayText":"233 Democrats up for election","shortDisplayText":"233 Dems. up for election","displayValue":"233","value":233},"total":222,"difference":{"displayText":"Lost 10 seats","displayValue":"-10","value":-10},"popular":{}},"republicans":{"available":{"displayText":"201 Republicans up for election","shortDisplayText":"201 Reps. up for election","displayValue":"201","value":201},"total":210,"difference":{"displayText":"Gained 10 seats","displayValue":"10","value":10},"popular":{}},"other":{"available":{"displayText":"1 Others up for election","shortDisplayText":"1 Others up for election","displayValue":"1","value":1},"total":0,"popular":{}},"total":435},"needed":{"displayText":"218 for control","displayValue":"218","value":218},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-17T18:22:02.900Z","displayValue":"December 17, 1:22:02PM ET"}},"lastUpdated":{"value":"2020-12-18T21:15:13.850Z","displayValue":"December 18, 4:15:13PM ET"},"autoUpdate":{"enabled":false,"topics":["general-elections-2020-balance-of-power"]},"electionsConfig":{}},"types":["electoral","senate","house"]}},"analytics":{"accountID":"wdgnewabcnews,wdgasec,wdgnewabcnweb,wdgnewabcnewsrollup","ns":"abcnews","pageName":"abcn:politics:story","pageType":"story","pageUrl":"abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-calls-russia-probe-witch-hunt-1st-indictment/story?id=50795920&userab=abcn_web_article_ts-208*variant_b-776,abcn_mobileweb_article_ep-176*variant_c-815","globalSpecVersion":"v1.08","siteDifferentiator":"abcn:site","tagID":"apage_news01","userABCookie":"abcn_web_article_ts-208*variant_b-776,abcn_mobileweb_article_ep-176*variant_c-815","alertTag":"Donald Trump","authors":"ABC News","authorsBureau":"none","authorsUnit":"none","dateline":"—","id":"50795920","modDate":"2017-10-30","mediaOnPage":"video","modTime":"07:35","provider":"ABC News","pubDate":"2017-10-29","pubTime":"15:55","section":"Politics","subBrand":"none","title":"Trump again calls Russia probe 'witch hunt' as possible 1st indictment looms","videoId":"50806558","videoName":"Trump calls Russia probe 'witch hunt'","wordCount":486},"taboola":{"config":{"network":"abcnews-abcnews","mode":"thumbnails-a","type":"other","targetType":"mix","placement":null,"pageTypeOverrides":{"story":{"mode":"thumbnails-a","type":"article","targetType":"mix","placement":"Below Article Thumbnails"},"home":{"mode":"thumbnails-b","container":"taboola-homepage-thumbnails","type":"home","targetType":"mix","placement":"Homepage Thumbnails"},"section":{"mode":"thumbnails-b","type":"category","targetType":"mix","placement":"Section Front Thumbnails"},"liveBlog":{"mode":"thumbnails-d","type":"other","targetType":"mix","placement":"Blog"}}}}},"request":{"headers":{},"httpVersion":"1.1","method":"GET","url":"/Politics/trump-calls-russia-probe-witch-hunt-1st-indictment/story?id=50795920&userab=abcn_web_article_ts-208*variant_b-776,abcn_mobileweb_article_ep-176*variant_c-815","vary":{"host":"abcnews.go.com","cached":true,"path":"/Politics/trump-calls-russia-probe-witch-hunt-1st-indictment/story","forwarded-proto":"https","device":"desktop","country":"us","userab":"abcn_web_article_ts-208*variant_b-776,abcn_mobileweb_article_ep-176*variant_c-815","region":"gdpr"}},"viewport":{"width":1260,"height":0},"user":{}};