Trump uses Lewandowski and Dearborn as private channel to limit Mueller probe

On July 19, 2017, President Trump dictated instructions to Corey Lewandowski — a private citizen with no government role — directing him to deliver a message to AG Jeff Sessions limiting the Mueller investigation to future elections only. Lewandowski passed the message to White House aide Rick Dearborn, who declined to deliver it. Mueller cited the use of an off-the-books channel bypassing normal White House staff as evidence of an obstructive attempt to curtail the investigation.