But I allowed him and all others to testify - I didn't have to...""A John Dean type 'RAT'"?! Nowhere in the Times article did the reporters or any of the sources they interviewed mention the word "rat." All the article said was that McGahn was cooperating with the special counsel -- and with Trump's permission. So why would Trump reach for such an ominous term to characterize the way (in his view) the Times piece described McGahn's motivation? Whatever Trump's reasons, it's striking how effectively the word "rat" telegraphs the choices available to someone, like McGahn, who cooperates with the special counsel -- even with the President's assent, as he points out.

Source: CNN August 19, 2018 22:07 UTC