President Donald Trump lambasted the media on Twitter on Friday and called special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation a "witch hunt."
The special counsel is investigating Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election, and the Washington Post reports that Trump is also under investigation for potentially obstructing justice after firing former FBI Director James Comey.
Trump disputed the investigation's credibility.
I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2017
The tweet appears to be referring to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, whose memo recommended firing Comey in May. Rosenstein was in charge of appointing the special counsel after Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the investigation.
Trump also defended himself from the charge of collusion with the Russians during the 2016 presidential election by saying there is not "any proof."
After 7 months of investigations & committee hearings about my "collusion with the Russians," nobody has been able to show any proof. Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2017
The Russia probe has touched on certain Trump associates, most notably former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, but Trump himself was not under investigation by Comey's FBI. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) and others have said previously that no evidence has emerged showing Trump colluded with the Russians.
Trump also directed his ire at the media. He touted his ability to "go around them" via social media, while also saying that his administration is succeeding while the media is focusing on Russia.
The Fake News Media hates when I use what has turned out to be my very powerful Social Media – over 100 million people! I can go around them
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2017
Despite the phony Witch Hunt going on in America, the economic & jobs numbers are great. Regulations way down, jobs and enthusiasm way up!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2017
Paul Crookston is the deputy war room director at the Washington Free Beacon. He was previously a Collegiate Network fellow at National Review. A 2016 graduate of Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., he served as the managing editor of the Tartan campus newspaper. He is originally from Tampa, Fla., but he still roots for Dad’s Ohio teams. His Twitter handle is @P_Crookston. He can be reached at crookston@freebeacon.com. 