With signs pointing to the possibility, President Donald President Trump tweeted Sunday that he’s ordering the Justice Department to investigate whether the Obama administration, “for political purposes,” spied on his 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump’s announcement has former CIA director John Brennan, a key player in that administration, nervous. Or afraid.
“I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes — and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!” the president tweeted.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/998256454590193665
Within a few short hours, Brennam responded to Trump’s tweet, putting the onus on House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to rein in the president.
“Senator McConnell & Speaker Ryan: If Mr. Trump continues along this disastrous path, you will bear major responsibility for the harm done to our democracy. You do a great disservice to our Nation & the Republican Party if you continue to enable Mr. Trump’s self-serving actions,” the former spy chief tweeted.
Senator McConnell & Speaker Ryan: If Mr. Trump continues along this disastrous path, you will bear major responsibility for the harm done to our democracy. You do a great disservice to our Nation & the Republican Party if you continue to enable Mr. Trump’s self-serving actions. https://t.co/uAhgL6wfIC
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) May 20, 2018
Brennan, who now works for the anti-Trump network MSNBC, became a focal point last week after former NSA Director Mike Rogers and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper contradicted his claim that the unverified Fusion GPS dossier paid for by Hillary Clinton’s campaign had no influence on the concerns of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
But, as Mollie Hemingway, senior editor for The Federalist, noted, the spy chief has “a history” of not being honest.
Mollie Hemingway: Let’s not forget, former CIA head John Brennan has a history of lying… and spying https://t.co/CeBLGLLokG pic.twitter.com/DlAOkd4Fwg
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) May 17, 2018
One thing is certain, if the previous administration weaponized the apparatus of the federal government to help the sitting president’s party win an election, it’s not “self-serving” for the succeeding president to get to the bottom of such an egregious act.
In fact, one could argue that Trump owes it to the American people to ensure that our elections are free and fair.
Leading the way in responding to Brennan was Sara Carter, an investigative reporter and Fox News contributor.
“Why are you so concerned? What are you all so afraid of?” Carter tweeted. “These continued veiled threats, disinformation and ideological opposition is the true danger to our democracy. The disservice is the undermining of @realDonaldTrump a duly elected president and the people of the U.S.”
Why are you so concerned? What are you all so afraid of? These continued veiled threats, disinformation and ideological opposition is the true danger to our democracy. The disservice is the undermining of @realDonaldTrump a duly elected president and the people of the U.S. https://t.co/qvxY2k5D5B
— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) May 21, 2018
Tom Fitton, president of the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch, offered a good reason why Brennan might be nervous.
“Mr. Brennan is among those senior Obama administration officials who may have civil and criminal liability for the illicit targeting of @RealDonaldTrump,” he tweeted.
Mr. Brennan is among those senior Obama administration officials who may have civil and criminal liability for the illicit targeting of @RealDonaldTrump. https://t.co/u7ZVEcnMfZ
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) May 20, 2018
But then, Joe DiGenova, the former U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said last week Brennan should “get himself a good lawyer,” suggesting the former head of the CIA is “going to be in front of a grand jury shortly.”
“Categorically and unequivocally, it has been proved that the FBI, in violation of all guidelines, all legislation — and I believe they committed crimes in doing so — purposely sent people into the Trump campaign to plant false information, then force that information to be forwarded back to CIA, and then funneled to the FBI, to be used as false information in FISA applications,” DiGenova said.
Here’s why Joe DiGenova thinks John Brennan needs to ‘get himself a good lawyer’ … and fast https://t.co/f9DpzXiMM9 pic.twitter.com/QJRYND0G6F
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) May 18, 2018
Here’s a sampling of other responses to Brennan’s tweet from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/998359418088538114
You’re coming unglued.
My suspicion is that you’re scared sh*tless that the hammer is about to be dropped on you big time, and you’ll finally be held accountable for your criminal activities https://t.co/8r7WodXlCE
— John Betts (@JohnFromCranber) May 21, 2018
The congressional leadership is supposed to stop the Justice Department's inspector general from conducting an investigation? https://t.co/F1rmu1ejbm
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) May 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/DavidBCohen1/status/998422286796439552
You mad, bro? Or just worried about being exposed? https://t.co/i4fqAC6yAi
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) May 21, 2018
Thanks Brennan for showing the flop sweat on your brow. Such an investigation would lead to you, Obama, Hillary, the Podestas, Harry Reid, Comey, McCabe and others. Y'all be goin down. https://t.co/ipOG6sfIIB
— Daxton Brown (@daxtonbrown) May 21, 2018
The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks. https://t.co/z0BWvWhDvf
— Tom Bevan (@TomBevanRCP) May 21, 2018
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