JEFF SESSIONS/ROBERT MUELLER/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Trump on Wednesday [8-1-18] urged Attorney General Jeff Sessions to end the Russia investigation ‘right now,’ renewing public pressure on the nation’s top law-enforcement official to halt a probe that has resulted in charges against his former campaign officials and more than two dozen Russians…The president’s comments come a day after the opening of a closely watched criminal trial involving Paul Manafort, Mr. Trump’s former campaign chairman who is fighting bank fraud and tax evasion charges. It the first trial by prosecutors for Mr. Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible coordination with Trump associates, as well as potential obstruction of justice. Mr. Trump has denied wrongdoing by himself or his campaign. Moscow has denied any election interference. The charges against Mr. Manafort cite activities that predate the Trump campaign and aren’t related to Russia’s electoral activities. Critics said Mr. Trump’s tweets Wednesday showed he was trying to derail the Russia investigation.”
–Michael C. Bender and Sadie Gurman, “Trump Presses Sessions to End Russia Investigation,” The Wall Street Journal, August 1, 2018 3:11 pm