Trump reportedly under investigation for obstruction of justice in Russia probe

US President Donald Trump is being investigated by the FBI for a potential obstruction of justice related to the ongoing inquiry into Russian meddling in last year's election, according to media reports in the country.

The Washington Post originally reported that the probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller had been expanded to include Trump, who is suspected of having attempted to obstruct the investigation.

Trump has faced numerous allegations of the offence since his inauguration in January, and calls for him to be investigated increased following testimony to the Senate intelligence committee last week by sacked FBI director James Comey.

Comey told the committee that Trump encouraged him to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, a claim the president has denied.

Flynn’s conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak are reportedly a focus of the investigation, with the former having been forced to resign just weeks after his appointment because he failed to disclose details to vice-president Mike Pence.

Speculation had been rife earlier this week that Trump was considering the sacking of Mueller, who was appointed as special counsel to the investigation shortly after Comey’s firing.

A member of Trump’s legal team said on Wednesday that reports of the expanding investigation were “outrageous”.

“The FBI leak of information regarding the president is outrageous, inexcusable and illegal,” said spokesperson Mark Corallo.