NOT SO SECRET

Mueller Asked Witnesses to Turn Over Phones in Probe: Report

The special counsel reportedly wants to inspect their encrypted messaging programs.

Special counsel Robert Mueller has reportedly asked witnesses to turn over their cellphones “to inspect their encrypted messaging programs” and look at potential conversations they may have had with President Donald Trump’s associates, according to CNBC. Mueller started requesting phones “as early as April,” and is examining apps like WhatsApp, Confide, Signal, and Dust. Sources told CNBC that witnesses have “complied with the request and have given over their phones,” fearing a subpoena. This comes as Mueller alleged that former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort tried to tamper with a potential witness after discovering and reviewing encrypted messages that were synced to his iCloud account.