Mueller Widens Focus to Adviser to United Arab Emirates

George Nader, a Lebanese-American businessman and an adviser to the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates is now a focus of the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller, the New York Times reports.

“In recent weeks, Mr. Mueller’s investigators have questioned Mr. Nader and have pressed witnesses for information about any possible attempts by the Emiratis to buy political influence by directing money to support Mr. Trump during the presidential campaign. The investigators have also asked about Mr. Nader’s role in White House policymaking, those people said, suggesting that the special counsel investigation has broadened beyond Russian election meddling to include Emirati influence on the Trump administration.”

“Mr. Trump has closely allied himself with the Emiratis… Mr. Trump’s endorsement of an Emirati- and Saudi-led blockade against that country has put him openly at odds with his secretary of state — as well as with years of American policy.”