CNN reports that then-Candidate Donald Trump 'did not dismiss the idea of arranging a meeting with Russia's president when it was suggested in a meeting with his campaign foreign policy advisers last year.'
Their reporting is based on one person in the room, who declines to identify themselves.
CNN:
The idea was raised by George Papadopoulos as he introduced himself at a March 2016 meeting of the Republican candidate's foreign policy advisers, according to a court filing.
"He didn't say yes and he didn't say no," the official said, declining to be more specific about Trump's response to Papadopoulos.
But the chairman of Trump's national security team, then Alabama senator and now attorney general Jeff Sessions, shut down the idea of a Putin meeting at the March 31, 2016, gathering, according to the source. His reaction was confirmed with another source who had discussed Session's role.
Trump's response to Papadopoulos' offer could be of interest to special counsel's office.
J.D. Gordon, a former Pentagon spokesman and Trump campaign national security adviser who attended the meeting, told CNN he was "surprised to learn this week what George Papadopoulos was up to during the campaign."
"He obviously went to great lengths to go around me and Sen. Sessions," he added.
CNN reached out to other people in attendance at the meeting who did not respond.
