MIKE POMPEO/ROBERT MUELLER/RUSSIA/STATE/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Mike Pompeo, the CIA director nominated to be secretary of state, defended the Trump administration’s efforts to push back on aggression from Russia at his confirmation hearing Thursday [4-12-18] while suggesting more sanctions on Moscow are still needed. Yet he dodged repeatedly when Democrats tried to pin him down on President Donald Trump’s handling of the special investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Pompeo confirmed for the first time publicly that he’s been interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating potential ties between Russia and Trump’s presidential campaign and possible obstruction of justice issues. But he wouldn’t answer questions about the contents of the interview, arguing it would be improper since, as CIA director in charge of overseas intelligence gathering, he has been a ‘participant’ in Mueller’s probe.”
–Josh Lederman and Matthew Lee, “Pompeo defends Trump on Russia, won’t talk about Mueller,” The Associated Press, April 12, 2018 10:58 am