UPDATE: Senate Democrats react to news the president may not grant Mueller an interview.
“If the president fails to appear for the interview it’s an indication that he has something to hide,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Tuesday.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) echoed his colleague. “I think the American people are going to ask, what is he hiding?” he said.
“Using [President Trump’s] own words, if you have nothing to hide, if you are innocent, then you should answer questions, sit down and answer questions,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) added.
WATCH: Dems say Trump will look like he has something to hide if he avoids Muller interview (The Hill)
The New York Times reports that President Trump's legal team does not want him to interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Less than two weeks ago – on January 24th – the president said he was looking forward to doing just that.
TRUMP: But I would love to do that, and I'd like to do it as soon as possible. Good luck everybody.
Reporter: Do you have a date set, Mr. President?
TRUMP: I guess they're talking about two or three weeks, but I would love to do it. You know, again, I have to say, subject to my lawyers and all of that, but I would love to do it.
Turns out his lawyers don't trust him not to perjure himself.
His lawyers are concerned that the president, who has a history of making false statements and contradicting himself, could be charged with lying to investigators.
The NYT points out that refusing to speak with Mueller could carry significant consequences.
Refusing to sit for an interview opens the possibility that Mr. Mueller will subpoena the president to testify before a grand jury, setting up a court fight that would dramatically escalate the investigation and could be decided by the Supreme Court.
Rejecting an interview with Mr. Mueller also carries political consequences. It would be certain to prompt accusations that the president is hiding something, and a court fight could prolong the special counsel inquiry, casting a shadow over Republicans as November’s midterm elections approach or beyond into the president’s re-election campaign.
Defense attorney John Dowd and his deputy Jay Sekulow reportedly believe they have grounds to reject the special counsel's request.
They are convinced that Mr. Mueller lacks the legal standing to question Mr. Trump about some of the matters he is investigating, like the president’s role in providing a misleading response last summer to a New York Times story about a meeting Mr. Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. had with Russians offering dirt on Hillary Clinton. The advisers have also argued that on other matters — like the allegations that the president asked the former F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, to end the investigation into the former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn — the president acted within his constitutional authority and cannot be questioned about acts that were legal.
Friends and allies like former New Jersey governor and one-time Trump transition lead Chris Christie, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and longtime personal lawyer Marc Kasowitz all have agreed publicly with Trump's defense team.
One of the few voices arguing for cooperating with Mr. Mueller is Ty Cobb, the White House lawyer whom Mr. Trump also brought on to deal with Mr. Mueller’s investigation. Since Mr. Cobb was hired in July, he has argued that the White House should do everything possible to cooperate with Mr. Mueller’s investigation.
Trump’s Lawyers Want Him to Refuse an Interview in Russia Inquiry (NYT)