US special counsel probe into Russia, Trump hits one year mark

World Today

FILE – In this June 21, 2017 file photo, special counsel Robert Mueller departs after a closed-door meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about Russian meddling in the election and possible connection to the Trump campaign, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in more than 555 days ago — And for 365 of those days, he and his campaign have been under investigation for allegedly working with the Russians to taint the 2016 general election. Trump and his loyal base have had enough.

CGTN’s Sean Callebs reports.

“Congratulations America, we are now into the second year of the greatest Witch Hunt in American History,” President Trump tweeted.

But the critics aren’t backing down, either.

“I would say to the president, it’s not a witch hunt when 17 Russians have been indicted. It’s not a witch hunt when some of the most senior members of the Trump campaign have been indicted,” Democratic U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer said.

Special counsel Robert Mueller launched his investigation in part after the firing of former FBI Director James Comey.

In this June 8, 2017 file photo, former FBI director James Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Trump’s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty, and is reportedly working with investigators. Top officials with Trump’s campaign, such as Paul Manafort and George Papadopoulos, are also under indictment along with 17 Russian nationals.

In this Feb. 1, 2017 file photo, then National Security Adviser Michael Flynn speaks during the daily news briefing at the White House, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

“We want to see this thing come to its conclusion. But again, I’ve always said he should be free to finish his job… It’s been a year,” U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan said.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions also frustrated the president by refusing to weigh in on the investigation. Sessions has recused himself from the entire matter. So far, Mueller has interviewed as many as 20 White House officials. Trump and his campaign have handed over more than 1.4 million pages of documents.

In this Nov. 14, 2017 file photo, Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill,  in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“Any fair minded citizen, even the most ardent partisans should be able to look at the facts and say that this investigation is not a witch hunt,” Schumer said.

Former New York mayor and now Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani has said he’s been told that Mueller will not indict Trump. But while Trump hasn’t been interviewed by Mueller, he has said he would love to talk…. if he would be treated fairly.