
Trump's planned tariffs on steel and aluminium have triggered fears of a trade war. (AFP / MANDEL NGAN)
President Donald Trump denied a New York Times report but confirmed its premise in an angry morning tweet.
The president logged into Twitter on Thursday morning to refute a Tuesday night report that he sought to fire special counsel Robert Mueller in December.
"If I wanted to fire Robert Mueller in December, as reported by the Failing New York Times, I would have fired him," the president tweeted. "Just more Fake News from a biased newspaper!"
If I wanted to fire Robert Mueller in December, as reported by the Failing New York Times, I would have fired him.… https://t.co/wi7FDNjqK7— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1523527426.0
Republicans have said firing Mueller could trigger serious consequences, but they have refused to pass any legislative measures to protect the special counsel.