The US Justice Department is investigating former US President Donald Trump's actions as part of its criminal probe of the efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, The Washington Post reported, quoting sources familiar with the issue.
Prosecutors are questioning witnesses before a grand jury and in recent days have asked about conversations with Trump and those close to him.
Meanwhile, Justice Department investigators received in April phone records of key Trump administration aides and officials.
According to one person familiar with the probe, investigators are seeking to understand what Trump told his lawyers and senior officials to do. This is partly because some political activity is protected by the First Amendment.
The Post noted that the Justice Department efforts are separate from the House committee inquiry, which seeks to portray Trump as responsible for inciting the Capitol riot and not doing enough to stop it. The House inquiry, however, does not have the power to launch criminal investigations or charge anyone with wrongdoing.
Earlier this week, the House committee pressured the Justice Department to investigate Trump.
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday told NBC News that the Justice Department pursues justice "without fear or favor."
"We intend to hold everyone, anyone, who was criminally responsible for the events surrounding January 6th, for any attempt to interfere with the lawful transfer of power from one administration to another, accountable — that’s what we do. We don’t pay any attention to other issues with respect to that," he said.
A Trump spokesperson did not immediately respond to the Post's request for comment. A Justice Department spokesman declined comment