Special Counsel Robert Mueller has issued subpoenas in recent weeks for records about Russia and other topics that are held by the Trump Organization, the president's real estate firm.

It's unclear how broad Mueller's demands are, according to The New York Times, which was first to report on the subpoenas.

It's also a mystery why his office skipped the ordinary step of requesting documents before insisting with the force of law.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is moving his probe one step closer to President Donald Trump by subpoenaing records from his real estate company

Trump still faces accusations of colluding with Russia to impact the result of the 2016 election, a charge he denies; Trump has called the probe a 'witch hunt'

President Trump and the company he founded have insisted in the past that they have no business ties with Russia.

But in 2015 he signed a nonbinding letter declaring his intention to develop a commercial building in Moscow.

Mueller is investigating unproven allegations that aides to Trump's presidential campaign colluded with Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election.

The president has repeatedly insisted that there was 'no collusion,' and has called the special counsel probe a 'witch hunt' inspired by partisan Democrats who can't come to terms with his victory.

The Trump Organization, now run by the president's two eldest sons, once explored the idea of putting up a commercial building in Moscow

Trump has warned Mueller publicly that straying too far beyond his original mandate – digging into claims related to Russia and the 2016 election – would be a 'red line' and crossing it could being consequences.

But he has never said what the repercussions might be for making inquiries about his family business in ways that don't relate to Russia's now well-established election meddling.

White House Counsel Don McGahn has already threatened to quit once when the president asked him to have Mueller removed from his post.