Trump says “hands off” approach to DOJ “could change”

During a call-in interview with Fox & Friends Thursday morning that snowballed into an angry rant about “fake news” organizations, Ronny Jackson, James Comey, Michael Cohen, Kanye West, US relations with Iran, the upcoming talks with North Korea, President Trump lashed out at the FBI and its former director, James Comey, while the president claimed he has “nothing to do” with Cohen’s legal troubles.

(Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com)

Despite the cloud of the Russia probe hanging over his head, Trump said he’s still managed to accomplish a lot during his first term in office. And while Trump says he’s tried to “stay away” from interfering with the Department of Justice, at some point his “hands off” approach could change.

Of course, his aggressive remarks followed reports last night that the newest member of his legal team, Rudy Giuliani, had restarted talks with Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

The interview started with Trump calling out Montana Democratic Sen. John Tester for bringing up allegations about Jackson, including his nickname, “the candy man,” which he purportedly earned due to his willingness to hand out prescription drugs in his role as personal physician to US presidents.

Trump said Jackson had withdrawn his nomination to lead the VA largely to spare his family from Democratic scrutiny. Trump insisted that Jackson is an example of an American who should be admired, and that while nobody is truly qualified to lead the VA, Jackson would’ve done a great job.

President @realDonaldTrump reacts to Dr. Ronny Jackson withdrawing his nomination to be VA Secretary pic.twitter.com/SzRCaBCKIA

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) April 26, 2018

Asked about his next pick to lead the VA, Trump said only that the candidate would have a “political” background.

Commenting on his meeting with Emmanuel Macron, Trump said the two men had “a fantastic time” and that they “accomplished a lot”. Though Trump wouldn’t say specifically what they agreed on, he said Macron would be leaving with “a different view on Iran”. “He knows where I’m coming from,” he said.

.@POTUS on @EmmanuelMacron: “He is viewing, I believe, Iran a lot differently than he did before he walked into the Oval Office.” @foxandfriends pic.twitter.com/qweQgs0Tff

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 26, 2018

What’s the fate of the Iran nuclear deal? President @realDonaldTrump responds after Macron predicts POTUS will scrap the deal pic.twitter.com/0rDdOWdhx1

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) April 26, 2018

When it comes to Iran, Trump said the Iranian government has mostly refrained from provocative acts and “death to America” rhetoric since he took office. “They don’t try that stuff with me, you don’t see their little boats circling our ships with me. Because if they do, they  know they’re not going to be there very long.”

Moving on to the subject of Michael Cohen, Trump blasted the FBI for raiding Cohen’s home early in the morning while his wife was still in bed, and generally dismissed the raid as part of a witch hunt. Cohen only handles a “tiny fraction” of Trump’s legal work, and that the investigation into his former personal attorney “has nothing to do with me.”

President @realDonaldTrump comments on Michael Cohen pic.twitter.com/WZY42fO48m

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) April 26, 2018

But the president saved his harshest language for James Comey, who had appeared in a CNN town hall the night before. Trump again branded him a “leaker” and a “liar” who should be facing criminal charges.

.@POTUS on @foxandfriends: “Happy birthday to Melania.” pic.twitter.com/79SxKDLWue

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 26, 2018

Early in the interview, which ran for about 30 minutes, Trump shared what he bought Melania for her birthday with the Fox & Friends team.

Read more at: ZeroHedge.com