Donald Trump watched Russia investigation charges unfold on TV leaving him screaming at staff, calling his lawyers and tweeting frantically
DONALD Trump screamed at staff, called his lawyers and tweeted frantically as he watched the Russia investigation charges unfold on TV.
The US president was left "seething" amid reports three key aides were indicted in the Russian collusion inquiry, according to a Republican close to the White House, reported.
Trumps aides pleaded with him against lashing out at special counsel and ex-FBI chief Robert Mueller who is carrying out the investigation, the unnamed source said.
After news broke of the indictments against ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort and aide Rick Gates, Trump furiously tweeted: "Sorry, but this is years ago, before Paul Manafort was part of the Trump campaign. But why aren’t Crooked Hillary & the Dems the focus????? … Also, there is NO COLLUSION!"
Documents unveiled yesterday also revealed that George Papadopoulos - a former foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign - pleaded guilty on October 5 to lying to FBI agents over contact with people he believed to be senior Russian government officials.
He has since acted as a “proactive cooperator” with the inquiry.
Trump has not tweeted since the announcement of Papadopoulos’ guilty plea.
He has denied any allegations of collusion between his campaign and Russia calling the claims "phoney" and the probe a "witch hunt".
Trump launched a Twitter tirade on Sunday about the "guilt" of Hillary Clinton and the opposition Democratic Party - without referencing the sealed indictment outright.
“Never seen such Republican ANGER & UNITY as I have concerning the lack of investigation on Clinton,” he wrote.
The president then tweeted:: “Instead they look at phony Trump/Russia, ‘collusion’, which doesn’t exist. The [Democrats] are using this terrible (and bad for our country) Witch Hunt for evil politics, but the [Republicans] are now fighting back like never before.
“There is so much GUILT by Democrats/Clinton, and now the facts are pouring out. DO SOMETHING!”
US intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia interfered in the election to try to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.
The Russians hacked and released embarrassing emails and disseminated propaganda via social media to discredit the Democrat, American spy bosses claimed.
But the Kremlin has denied the allegations.
The Russia investigation has cast a shadow over Trump's nine-month-old presidency and widened the rift between Republicans and Democrats.
Trump could be charged with obstruction of justice if he is found to have tried to influence James Comey into dropping the Flynn-Russia investigation.
