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Trump asked Australian leader to help look into Mueller probe's origins: report

By Justine Coleman - 09/30/19 04:31 PM EDT
 

President TrumpDonald John TrumpMore than 300 military family members endorse Biden Five takeaways from the final Trump-Biden debate Biden: 'I would transition from the oil industry' MORE pressed the Australian prime minister to assist Attorney General William BarrBill BarrSeattle, Portland, NYC sue Trump administration over threat to pull federal money Trump says he doesn't actually want Whitmer, Biden and Obama to be locked up despite chants Trump and advisers considering firing FBI director after election: WaPo MORE obtain information about the Russia probe's origins in a recent phone call, The New York Times reported on Monday. 

The White House has limited access to the transcript of the call between the two world leaders to a small group of presidential aids, sources told the Times.

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Echoing another call Trump had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which sparked an impeachment inquiry in the House last week, the conversation with Prime Minister Scott Morrison reportedly involves the president pressuring a foreign leader to look into domestic political matters. 

According to the Times, the president sought out Morrison's help upon request from Barr.
 
Australian officials told the FBI that the Russian government and Trump campaign had been in communication about releasing information about Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonFive takeaways from the final Trump-Biden debate Trump, Biden tangle over Wall Street ties, fundraising The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump, Biden face off for last time on the debate stage MORE, which provoked an FBI investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. 
 
The Australian government passed along the tip once George PapadopoulosGeorge Demetrios PapadopoulosNot treason, not a crime — but definitely a gross abuse of power Tale of two FBI cases: Clinton got warned, Trump got investigated Trump says he would consider pardons for those implicated in Mueller investigation MORE – Trump's campaign foreign policy adviser – told an Australian official about Russia having access to damaging information on Clinton and "thousands" of her emails.
 
Trump is requesting Australia examine their tips to the FBI to see if they were sent for partisan or corrupt reasons, the Times reported. 

This conversation occurred weeks following the controversial call with Zelensky, according to the Times.
 
An Australian government spokesperson told The Hill that the government is always "ready to assist and cooperate with efforts that help shed further light on the matters under investigation."
 
"The PM confirmed this readiness once again in conversation with the President," the spokesperson said in a statement.
 
The Hill has reached out to the White House and the Department of Justice for comment. 
 
Updated: 5:44 p.m.
Tags Donald Trump William Barr George Papadopoulos Hillary Clinton