Mueller: ‘Problematic’ That Trump Boosted WikiLeaks’ ‘Illegal Activity’ During Election
During his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, former Special Counsel Robert Mueller criticized President Trump for his “love” of WikiLeaks throughout the 2016 presidential election, telling Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) that the president’s praise for the group was “problematic” and gave them a boost.
TRANSCRIPT:
QUIGLEY: I want to refer to volume one page # 60, trump junior tweeted to the link of stolen Podesta emails — you’re familiar with that?
MUELLER: Yes.
QUIGLEY: That would be a republishing of this information, would it not?
MUELLER: I’m not certain I would agree with that.
QUIGLEY: Director Pompeo assessed WikiLeaks as a hostile foreign intelligence service. Given your knowledge of what WikiLeaks did here, and what they do generally, would you assess that to be accurate or something similar? How would you assess what WikiLeaks does?
MUELLER: Absolutely, and they are currently under indictment. as is Julian Assange.
QUIGLEY: Would it be fair to describe them as do you agree with this Director Pompeo — that’s what he was when he made that remark. If we could put up slide 6. ‘I love WikiLeaks.’ Donald Trump. ‘This WikiLeaks stuff is unbelievable. you have to read it.’ October 12th, 2016. ‘This WikiLeaks is like a treasure trove.’ Donald Trump October 31st, 2016. ‘Boy, I love reading those WikiLeaks.’ Do any of those quotes disturb you, Mr. Director?
MUELLER: I’m not certain I would say.
QUIGLEY: How do you react to those?
MUELLER: It’s problematic is an understatement in terms of what it displays in terms of giving some hope or some boost to what is and should be illegal activity.
QUIGLEY: Page 59, Donald Trump Junior had direct communications with WikiLeaks during the campaign period. On October 3rd, 2016, WikiLeaks sent another message to Trump junior, asking you guys to have a link to Clinton. Julian Assange responded to that, he had already done so. Behavior at the very least disturbing?
MUELLER: Disturbing, and also subject to investigation.
Watch the clip above, via CNN.
