Congress wants Trump Jr. phone records related to Russia meeting

Congressional investigators probing Russian election interference want Donald Trump Jr.’s phone records relating to his meeting with a Russian lawyer ahead of the 2016 presidential election. 

According to a new CBS News report, there is “high interest” among congressional investigators to obtain Trump Jr.’s cellphone records, phone records and all email accounts of individuals involved in the meeting.

The meeting became the subject of national attention last month after it was revealed Trump Jr. had met with a Russian lawyer who claimed to have compromising information on then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

President Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, as well as former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, were also at the meeting. In total, eight individuals attended the meeting, contrary to Trump Jr.’s initial statement on the matter.

A congressional source told CBS News “we want all relevant documents” pertinent to the meeting and those who attended.

Earlier this week, The Washington Post reported that Trump dictated Trump Jr.’s initial misleading statement on the meeting. The report has launched the event back into the national spotlight.

The meeting has become a central part of ongoing investigations by the House and Senate Intelligence committees into possible collusion between Trump campaign staff and Russia during the 2016 election.

Democrats have argued that Trump Jr.’s willingness to accept the meeting and opposition research on Clinton is an example of clear intent to work with the Russian government, though Trump has fiercely defended his son and Trump Jr. has said the meeting ultimately went nowhere.