Jared Kushner wanted President Trump to ‘counterattack’ after special counsel announcement
Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, was reportedly one of the few who wanted Trump to respond aggressively to the news that former FBI Director Robert Mueller was appointed special counsel in the investigation into potential ties with Russia.
The New York Times is reporting that, after Trump was informed of the decision Wednesday afternoon, he "reacted calmly but defiantly at first, according to two people familiar with the events, saying he wanted to 'fight back.'"
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However, the report says that after he gathered top members of his team including Kushner, press secretary Sean Spicer, chief of staff Reince Priebus and counselor Kellyanne Conway, among others, "Most...recommended that the president adopt a conciliatory stance."
The Times piece goes on to reveal that "Mr. Kushner — who had urged Mr. Trump to fire Mr. Comey — was one of the few dissenting voices, urging the president to counterattack, according to two senior administration officials."
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Ultimately, the president released an official White House statement of innocence and acceptance, saying, "As I have stated many times, a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know – there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity."
The brief message ended with, "I look forward to this matter concluding quickly. In the meantime, I will never stop fighting for the people and the issues that matter most to the future of our country."
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However, Trump went on to post a pair of defiant tweets the following morning; one read, "This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!"
He also wrote, "With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign & Obama Administration, there was never a special counsel appointed!"
