TAMPING DOWN

Report: WH Squeezed FBI on Russia Ties

Reportedly wanted FBI help to combat Russia stories.

According to a report in CNN, the FBI rejected a recent request from the White House to publicly discredit recent reports about alleged communications between Donald Trump associates and Russians during the 2016 presidential election. White House officials had reportedly sought out the FBI and additional agencies to say that the reports were untrue. Certain procedures limit communication between the White House and the FBI while investigations are pending. A law enforcement official told CNN that FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus had discussions about the matter. A White House official contended that it was McCabe who initially reached out to Priebus to say that the reports had been overstated.