Trump Lawyers: President Has No Russian Dealings, With Some Exceptions

WASHINGTON, DC — Lawyers for President Trump wrote a letter echoing his recent claims that he has had no financial dealings with Russians in the last 10 years, aside from "a few exceptions." The letter, originally written in response to a request from South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, is dated March 8 but was released by the White House Friday.

The letter lists three exceptions to its central assertion. First, as is well known, Trump held the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow in 2013. Second, Trump sold a Florida property in 2008 to a Russian billionaire for $95 million. Three years earlier, Trump had acquired the property for around $41 million. (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch for daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Third, the lawyers acknowledge that various Russians have likely patronized Trump businesses or obtained goods or properties from the Trump Organization, though they would not have necessarily been identified as "Russian" in financial documents.

The letter was released after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, a move that was widely criticized because of the ongoing federal investigation into potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russian intelligence operations. Since his election, Trump's business dealings have come under intense scrutiny from opponents and the media as potentially raising conflicts of interest.

During the campaign, Trump repeatedly said he would release his tax returns, which could help confirm some of the claims his lawyer made, after the completion of an audit. Trump and his associates have recently indicated he will not release the returns.

While discussing his taxes in a recent interview with The Economist, Trump said, "I might release them after I’m out of office."

As ABC News notes, Trump's lawyers are partners at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is a large multi-national organization which itself has significant ties to Russia, including a Moscow office with more than 40 staff members. In 2016, the law firm won an award as "Russia Law Firm of the Year."

Here's the full letter:

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