News   /   Politics

Congress will investigate Trump's wiretap claims against Obama

Barack Obama meets with then president-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office in November. (Photo by Reuters)

Republican leaders in Congress have appeared willing to honor US President Donald Trump’s request for an investigation after he claimed that his predecessor had his telephones wiretapped during the 2016 presidential campaign.

In his latest tweets, Trump claimed that Barack Obama wanted to hatch a plot against him by tapping his phones during the campaign to find possible links between the Republican billionaire and Russian authorities.

On Sunday, the White House urged the Congress to probe Obama’s alleged abuse of power to conduct surveillance activities on Trump.

Trump further stressed that he could take legal actions over the matter.

Obama’s intelligence chief, James Clapper, rejected the claims and a spokesman for Obama dismissed the accusation as “simply false.”

FBI Director James Comey has reportedly asked the Justice Department to publicly reject Trump's claim, because it falsely insinuates that the agency broke the law.

According to officials, the move has potential risks for the president, particularly if the House and Senate intelligence committees unearth damaging information about Trump, his aides or his associates.

Democrats slammed Trump for making the accusations without offering evidence, describing his latest outburst as a bid to distract from renewed scrutiny of his senior aides and allies' alleged ties to Russia.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks during a press conference at the US Justice Department on March 2, 2017, in Washington DC. (Photo by AFP)

The new unsubstantiated claims by Trump and the continued political wrangling over ties with Russia will likely heighten the seemingly-unending tensions and controversies that have thrown the new administration into disarray and chaos.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself from an investigation into his alleged contacts with Moscow and is facing calls to quit.

This comes just weeks after Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced to step down for discussing US sanctions with the Russian ambassador. 

The allegations prompted an immediate reaction from Moscow. The Kremlin says it is unaware of such meetings between the two high-ranking officials. 


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku