Franklin, Andrews, Kramer & Edelstein

[scion]

Barr asked Trump for introductions to Italy, Australia in Russia probe review

By ALEXANDER MALLIN and JONATHAN KARLSep 30, 2019, 8:45 PM ET
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/barr-asked-trump-introductions-australia-italy-review-russia/story?id=65964849

As a part of his review of the origins of the investigation into possible Russian interference in the presidential election, and into members of President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, Attorney General William Barr asked Trump on several occasions to initiate introductions between him and the leaders of Australia and Italy, among other countries, a Department of Justice official told ABC News on Monday.

The official confirmed to ABC News that Barr, while on a trip to Italy last week, met with senior Italian intelligence officials in the government along with U.S. Attorney John Durham, whom Barr has tasked with overseeing the review. According to public readouts released by the White House, Trump last spoke to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Sept. 5.

As first reported by The New York Times, the official said that Trump followed through on Barr’s request in a call to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.