President Trump is under investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller for possible obstruction of justice. Senior intelligence officials will be interviewed about whether Trump tried to end an ongoing investigation. Last week former FBI Director James Comey testified under oath that the President had asked him to drop the investigation into former National Security advisor Michael Flynn.
So far Trump has denied all allegations of collusion with Russia and says that the ongoing investigation is a witch hunt fabricated by the media. He further says that the more important story is about the leaks from the FBI and not an alleged collusion with Russia.
This development is a major turning point in the investigation that until recently only focused on the Russian angle. The questioning of intelligence officials could already start this week. However, the questioning does not mean that a case against President Trump is being built. It is simply a gathering of information, which will be passed on to the prosecutors who then have to decide.
Earlier this week reports emerged that Trump wants to fire special counsel Robert Mueller but apparently he has been talked out of this decision.
Investigation (ɪnˌvestɪˈgeɪʃən) – die Untersuchung
special counsel (ˈspeʃəlˈkaʊn(t)səl) – Sonderberater
obstruction of justice (əbˈstrʌkʃən ˈʤʌstɪs) – die Rechtsbehinderung
whether (ˈ(h)weðəʳ) – ob
ongoing (ˈɒnˌgəʊɪŋ) – laufend, im Gang
to testify (ˈtestɪfaɪ) – als Zeuge aussagen
under oath (ˈʌndəʳ əʊθ ) – unter Eid
to deny (dɪˈnaɪ) – etwas abstreiten, verleugnen
allegation (æləˈgeɪʃən) – die Behauptung, die Anschuldigung
collusion (kəˈlu:ʒən) – geheime Absprache
to fabricate (ˈfæbrɪkeɪt) – etwas erfinden, sich etwas ausdenken
turning point (ˈtɜ:nɪŋ pɔɪnt) – der Wendepunkt
recently (ˈri:səntli) – kürzlich, vor Kurzem
angle (ˈæŋgl̩) – der Winkel, hier: die Perspektive
case (keɪs) – der Fall, der Rechtsfall
prosecutor (ˈprɒsɪkju:təʳ) – der/die Ankläger/in
to emerge (ɪˈmɜ:ʤ) – auftauchen, herauskommen
apparently (əˈpærəntli) – offensichtlich, anscheinend