Rudy Giuliani’s phone calls to the White House aren’t “a big deal,” President Donald Trump told reporters in London on Dec. 4.
Giuliani called the White House multiple times in April, according to records obtained by House Democrats that were part of a report released Tuesday.
Asked if he still had “confidence” in Giuliani, his personal lawyer, Trump told reporters: “Rudy is a very good lawyer.”
“He’s a great crime fighter. He was the best mayor in the history of New York City, I think, by far. He stopped crime in New York City. As a U.S. attorney, he was incredible. He’s highly respected,” he continued.
“So somebody said he made a phone call into the White House. What difference does that make? I don’t know. You know, is that supposed to be a big deal? I don’t think so. Rudy is a great gentleman, and they’re after him only because he’s done such a good job. He was very effective against Mueller and the Mueller hoax. That whole thing was a hoax.”
Giuliani also weighed in on Wednesday, writing on Twitter: “The mere fact I had numerous calls with the White House does not establish any specific topic. Remember, I’m the President’s attorney.”
“They’ve already taken away [the president’s] right to call witnesses, cross-examine, confront his accusers, or be represented by counsel at hearings. Now he can’t talk to his counsel on the telephone?” Giuliani added. “This is CNN’s version of America? Coming to a theatre near you!”
It wasn’t clear how House Democrats obtained the call records. A spokesperson for House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) didn’t immediately return a request for comment. House Democrats also obtained call records from Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, and journalist John Solomon.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) said that what took place was “spying.”
“It raises a lot of serious questions I want to know all the people Adam Schiff is spying on,” Scalise said. “Are there other members of Congress that he is spying on, and what justification does he have? He needs to be held accountable and explain what he’s doing, going after journalists, going after members of Congress, instead of doing his job.”
