Hope Hicks May Have Conspired with Trump to Obstruct Justice

As the top levels of federal government plunge ever deeper into crisis over Special Counsel Bob Mueller's investigation, the investigation continues apace — and the New York Times has published a significant report that White House Communications Director Hope Hicks may now be in Mueller's sights, too.

[A]s Mr. Trump's aides and family members tried over 48 hours to manage one of the most consequential crises of the young administration [regarding Don Jr's meeting with Russians at Trump Tower], the situation quickly degenerated into something of a circular firing squad. They protected their own interests, shifted blame, and potentially left themselves — and the president — legally vulnerable.

The latest witness to be called for an interview about the episode was Mark Corallo, who served as a spokesman for Mr. Trump's legal team before resigning in July. Mr. Corallo received an interview request last week from the special counsel and has agreed to the interview, according to three people with knowledge of the request.

Mr. Corallo is planning to tell Mr. Mueller about a previously undisclosed conference call with Mr. Trump and Hope Hicks, the White House communications director, according to the three people. Mr. Corallo planned to tell investigators that Ms. Hicks said during the call that emails written by Donald Trump Jr. before the Trump Tower meeting — in which the younger Mr. Trump said he was eager to receive political dirt about Mrs. Clinton from the Russians — "will never get out." That left Mr. Corallo with concerns that Ms. Hicks could be contemplating obstructing justice, the people said.

In a statement on Wednesday, a lawyer for Ms. Hicks strongly denied Mr. Corallo's allegations.

My guess is that Mueller's interest will not be limited to just this incident and a single phrase, but will be piqued to explore in what other ways Hicks may have conspired with Trump to obstruct justice to protect him and his family.