House Judiciary Republicans Ask For FBI Briefing On Trump's Wiretapping Claims

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo



By ESME CRIBB Published MARCH 8, 2017, 12:55 PM EDT

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee asked FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday for a briefing on President Donald Trump's allegations that President Barack Obama "wire tapped" his phones at Trump Tower before the 2016 election.

"We again request a briefing regarding Russia’s alleged interference in the U.S. election, and additionally, on the very serious allegations that the President and/or his associates were or are under surveillance," Republicans on the committee wrote in a letter to Comey.

Trump has offered no evidence to support the allegations since he made them on Saturday, and a spokesman for Obama rejected that claim later the same day.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer nevertheless called on Sunday for Congress to investigate the allegations, and House Intelligence Committee Chair Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) said his committee will "make inquiries."

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/house-judiciary-republicans-ask-for-fbi-briefing-trump-wiretapping-claims

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Don't know what to think

Comey ... did the emails in late October of course. Now he says the FBI
knows nothing about this. I fear 'manufactured' evidence to which the FBI
eventually gives plausible legitimacy.

Either that or its birtherism all over again ... rumor spread like tumors

[safeinOhio]

2. Why no Democrats?

Afraid of what they might hear?

[Judi Lynn]

3. Are you suggesting Democrats are hiding from the answers? Really? n/t

[Kingofalldems]

4. My first reaction too.

[safeinOhio]

5. No way.

I asking why they were not invited.

[wordpix]

7. R's hot to find out specifics of fake wiretap news, but not #trumprussia

which is REAL

[sofa king]

9. I think...

... safeinOhio is asking "are Republicans afraid of what Democrats might hear?" But I don't want to put words in that poster's mouth.

Right now, my bet is that the answer the Judiciary Committee will get is, "you don't have clearance for that information." Because the wiretap did exist and it was clandestinely approved as part of an espionage case under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. It would be just like Trump to try to distract from espionage allegations by inadvertently disclosing details of an espionage investigation... against himself.

(As many of us pointed out at the time, suggesting that the Russians could find HRC's emails was a plain-as-day violation of the Logan Act, which should have prompted an espionage investigation.)

[cstanleytech]

8. More likely they are sitting it out to let the Repugnants duke it out

themselves.
After all this is a pretty inflammatory thing to claim by a current President and then he does not even back it up with evidence so the other Repugnants have to respond otherwise they put themselves at risk and the Democrats in office will grab some popcorn and watch the show.

[Blue Idaho]

6. Without Democrats present

I have zero trust in Comey or the republicans in the House. They are bound to make up lies just to protect Trump's fragile ego and gain a political advantage.