New phase in Russia probe as trump Jr begins interview with Senate committee

US President Donald Trump’s oldest son has arrived on Capitol Hill for a private interview with Senate staffers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, reports the Associated Press. Donald Trump Jr is expected to face hours of questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee staff. A person familiar with the process says Trump Jr provided an opening statement of about 15 to 20 minutes before the closed-door interview began. The person was not authorised to discuss confidential committee business and spoke on condition of anonymity. Questioning is expected to focus on a 2016 meeting that involved Trump Jr and a Russian lawyer, among others. Emails released in July show that Trump Jr was told before the meeting that it was part of a Russian government effort to help his father. Emails he released in July that detailed preparations for the June meeting show he expected to receive damaging information about his father’s opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, as part of what was described to Trump Jr as a Russian government effort to aid the GOP nominee. Special counsel Robert Mueller and the House and Senate Intelligence committees also are investigating that meeting, attended by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and then-campaign chairman, Paul Manafort. A grand jury has heard testimony about it. Trump Jr agreed to the interview after the committee chairman, Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, subpoenaed him and Manafort. The committee withdrew the subpoenas after the two agreed to be interviewed privately by staff. Grassley said they both would eventually be questioned by senators in a public hearing. Senators on the committee could attend the interview, but according to tradition they were not permitted to ask questions. Senators Richard Durbin, D-Ill, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, said they would be there. Senator Chris Coons, D-Del, was considering it. California Senator Dianne Feinstein, the committee’s top Democrat, said she would not attend because she thought staff should be allowed to conduct the interview without interference. Feinstein said she and Grassley agreed to subpoena Trump Jr and Manafort if they don’t agree to attend a to-be-scheduled public hearing. Trump Jr also was expected to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee at some point. Manafort met privately with staff on that committee in July. Kushner has met with that staff, as well as members of the House Intelligence Committee.