FBI Director James Comey is going before the House Intelligence Committee today, where he’ll face questioning about President Trump’s unsubstantiated claims that President Obama tapped his phones at Trump Tower during the 2016 election. President Trump has continued to stand by the unsubstantiated claims, including while meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Friday. Trump joked he and Merkel had something in common regarding wiretapping—a reference to reports the NSA was monitoring Merkel’s phones during Obama’s presidency.
President Donald Trump: “We have a tremendous group of people that listen, and I can get around the media when the media doesn’t tell the truth, so I like that. As far as wiretapping, I guess, by, you know, this past administration, at least we have something in common, perhaps.”
Both top U.S. lawmakers and British officials have rejected Trump’s wiretapping claims. The former British ambassador to Washington has accused Trump of “peddling falsehoods” by claiming the British intelligence agency helped carry out the alleged wiretap. During FBI Director James Comey’s testimony to the House Intelligence Committee today, he will also face questioning about Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 presidential race. A new Reuters investigation reveals dozens of Russian elites have invested nearly $100 million in seven Trump-branded luxury buildings in Florida. Meanwhile, Germany’s defense minister has rejected Trump’s claim that Germany owes NATO money.