Trump Says He Didn’t Know of Acting AG’s Views on Mueller Probe Before Appointment

Acting Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker, gives brief remarks to state and local law enforcement on efforts to combat violent crime and the opioid crisis at the U.S. Courthouse Annex, in Des Moines, Iowa, on Nov. 14, 2018. Steve Pope/Getty Images

President Donald Trump said he was not aware of Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker’s views on the Russia investigation before appointing him to temporarily replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

In a taped interview that aired on Fox News on Nov. 18, the president said Whitaker is free to decide how to handle the probe and that he would not get involved if the acting attorney general moved to limit the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller.