Trump ordered WH lawyer to stop Sessions from recusing himself in Russia probe: report

President TrumpDonald John TrumpOakland Raiders's Marshawn Lynch sits during national anthem, then scores touchdown Trump declares state of emergency in Carolinas ahead of Hurricane Florence Ex-NFL player tears into Nike: Kaepernick ad ‘like 9/11 and Pearl Harbor’ MORE ordered White House counsel Don McGahn to stop Attorney General Jeff SessionsJefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsThe Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — How will Obama impact the midterms? Pence suggests there is legal basis for investigating identity of anonymous op-ed writer Pence: Trump a ‘tough,’ ‘demanding’ president who ‘wants things yesterday’ MORE from recusing himself in the investigation into potential ties between Trump’s campaign and Russia, according to a new report.

The New York Times reports that after Trump’s directive, McGahn attempted to convince Sessions not to recuse himself from the investigation, according to two sources.

Trump was reportedly furious at Sessions’s recusal and angrily told White House officials that he needed Sessions to protect him.

The newspaper also reports that Trump intended to send a letter to former FBI Director James ComeyJames Brien ComeyLeaking lovers and an FBI smear job of Carter Page? Sununu on Obama: 'What is this damn fool doing' GOP senator says he 'regularly' considers leaving Republican Party MORE describing the Russia investigation as “fabricated and politically motivated,” but he was stopped by aides.

Sessions’s recusal led to Deputy Attorney General Rod RosensteinRod Jay RosensteinBen Folds song 'Mister Peepers' pays tribute to Rosenstein Leaking lovers and an FBI smear job of Carter Page? Chaos reigns on day one of Kavanaugh hearings MORE appointing special counsel Robert MuellerRobert Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud choice of Mueller to lead Russia probe MORE to head the Russia investigation.

The newspaper reports that Mueller has been able to substantiate claims made by Comey in memos describing conversations with Trump.

Those memos describe multiple interactions between Comey and Trump before his firing, including one conversation in which Trump asked Comey to end the FBI’s investigation into Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Mueller’s probe has produced four indictments of former Trump aides and officials, including Flynn and former Trump campaign manager Paul ManafortPaul John ManafortImpeachment will be at the top of Democrats' agenda if they take the House majority Republicans and Democrats face off in ruthless election fight for victory The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — How will Obama impact the midterms? MORE.