Matthew Whitaker says he has not interfered with Mueller probe

Matthew Whitaker, the acting US attorney-general, said on Friday he had “not interfered in any way” with Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible links between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.

Mr Whitaker told the House judiciary committee he had followed the relevant regulations “to a T” and sought to allay concerns that he may have impeded the special counsel’s work. 

“There has been no event, no decision, that has required me to take any action and I have not interfered in any way with the special counsel’s investigation,” the acting attorney-general said on Friday.

Mr Whitaker appeared before the Democratic-controlled judiciary committee in his first, and likely last, congressional testimony as acting attorney-general. William Barr, nominated by Donald Trump to replace Jeff Sessions as attorney-general, is likely to be confirmed by the Senate next week.

Mr Whitaker, who was chief of staff to Mr Sessions, was appointed after the former attorney-general was forced out by Mr Trump. He was a controversial pick, in part because he had publicly criticised the Russia probe before joining the justice department, and because he refused to recuse himself from overseeing the investigation. 

On Friday, he largely declined to answer questions from Jerrold Nadler, the chair of the committee, and other Democrats about the special counsel’s investigation, but offered some assurances about his role in supervising Mr Mueller’s work.

“I have not talked to the president about the special counsel’s investigation,” said Mr Whitaker, adding that he had not had such conversations with “senior White House officials” either.

He gave a more qualified response to Mr Nadler’s question as to whether he had briefed any third parties about the special counsel’s work. Mr Whitaker said he did not “believe” he had done so.

Later, Mr Whitaker said he had not denied any funds to Mr Mueller’s investigation, a strategy he had suggested, as a private citizen, that an acting attorney-general could use to impede the special counsel’s probe.

The acting attorney-general declined to say that the special counsel’s investigation was not a “witch hunt”, though he said that if had been a candidate for public office, he would have told the FBI about any contacts from foreign nationals or countries.

The hearing followed a dispute earlier in the week between the justice department and Democrats on the judiciary committee, who voted to authorise Mr Nadler to issue a subpoena if the acting attorney-general failed to answer questions.

On Thursday, Mr Whitaker said he would not appear under threat of subpoena. The stand-off was resolved after Mr Nadler promised not to issue one on Friday.

The sparring continued on Friday, with Mr Whitaker at one point informing Mr Nadler: “I see that your five minutes are up.”

The House judiciary chair told Mr Whitaker he would continue to pursue answers to his questions, even after the acting attorney-general left the justice department.

He said he expected Mr Whitaker to return for a deposition under oath.

Republicans on the committee denounced Friday’s hearing as “pointless”, accusing Democrats of being more interested in “character assassination” than in oversight of the justice department.

“Mr Whitaker, this is your life, like the old TV show, they just want a piece of you,” said Doug Collins, the ranking Republican. 

In his remarks to the committee, Mr Whitaker touted the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on violent crime, drugs and illegal immigration. He said he had run the justice department “with fidelity to the law and to the constitution”.

Since Mr Whitaker’s appointment in November last year, the special counsel has secured a guilty plea from Michael Cohen, the former attorney to Mr Trump, and also brought charges against Roger Stone, Mr Trump’s former longtime adviser.

“At no time has the White House asked for, nor have I provided, any promises or commitments concerning the special counsel’s investigation or any other investigation,” said Mr Whitaker on Friday.

Last month, the acting attorney-general said Mr Mueller’s probe was “close to being completed”. On Friday, he said he had “nothing to add” to those comments.