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Trump Lawyers Reject Mueller’s Interview Offer, Seeking ‘Narrower’ Questions: Report

They reportedly don’t want Trump to answer questions about obstruction of justice.

Trump’s legal team rejected Mueller’s latest terms for an interview with the president, marking yet another volley in the heated contest between the two camps. The New York Times reported Wednesday that the team, which includes Jay Sekulow and Rudy Giuliani, countered with a “narrower” offer, and noted that a source familiar with the matter claimed that they did not want Trump to answer questions about obstruction of justice. The president’s lawyers were reportedly eager to kill the interview outright for fear Trump would perjure himself, but Trump, who is confident that he can convince Mueller of his innocence, encouraged them to press on. The Times notes that by responding with another counter-offer, however, Trump’s legal team is “run[ning] the risk” that Mueller will decide that they’re acting in bad faith, and will move to subpoena Trump to testify before a grand jury. Trump’s team has indicated that they will fight a subpoena—meaning that this case could eventually reach the Supreme Court. Giuliani, however, told the Times that he has a different outcome in mind: “We’re restating what we have been saying for months,” he said. “It is time for the Office of Special Counsel to conclude its inquiry without further delay.”