Trump blasts leak of questions Mueller aims to ask him in Russia probe

U.S. President Donald Trump onTuesday criticized media reports thatspecial counselRobert Mueller has compiled a list of more than 40 questions toask the president as part of his probe into Russia's election meddling.

Mueller's list of at least four dozen questions include oneson Trump's ties to Russia and others to determine whether thepresident obstructed the inquiry itself, the New York Timesreported late Monday. The Wall Street Journal also reported thepotential queries.

Mueller is probing Russia's alleged interference in the 2016presidential election, whether Moscow colluded with the Trumpcampaign and if the president has unlawfully tried to obstructthe investigation.

Russia has denied meddling in the U.S. election, while Trumphas said there was no collusion and that the probe should end.

Under federal law, obstruction of justice is the act ofintentionally impeding judicial proceedings.

The listed questions do not use the term "collusion," butthe questions include what the president knew about Russian hacking, the use of social media and "other acts aimed at thecampaign," according to the Times.

Other reported questions include, "What knowledge did you have of anyoutreach by your campaign, including by Paul Manafort, to Russiaabout potential assistance to the campaign?"

Focus on obstruction

Representatives for the special counsel's office declined tocomment on the reported questions.

Most of them relate to possible obstruction ofjustice, according to the reports.

The list includes inquiries about Trump's firings of formerFBI Director James Comey, who headed the Russia investigationbefore he was dismissed in May 2017, and former nationalsecurity adviser Michael Flynn, the Times reported.

Mueller was appointed by Deputy Attorney General RodRosenstein in May 2017 after Comey was fired.

The special counsel's office also wants to ask aboutTrump's treatment of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a meeting at Trump Tower between campaign officials and a Russian lawyeroffering information about his Democratic opponent, HillaryClinton, among other discussions and events, it said.

Mueller's investigators have read the questions to Trump'slawyers, according to the Times, which said it obtained the listfrom a person outside Trump's legal team.

The Journal said Tuesday that Trump's legal team met withMueller last week to discuss an interview with the president.