Day 45: Sunday, March 5, 2017

Morning

Wikileaks on twitter: “Obama has a history of tapping & hacking his friends and rivals” (@wikileaks)

Two tweets from President Trump this morning

• “Is it true the DNC would not allow the FBI access to check server or other equipment after learning it was hacked? Can that be possible?” (@realDonaldTrump)
• “Who was it that secretly said to Russian President, “Tell Vladimir that after the election I’ll have more flexibility?” @foxandfriends” (@realDonaldTrump)

Press Secretary Sean Spicer lays out series of four tweets concerning President Trump’s latest allegations regarding Obama adminisration abuse of powers

• “(1/4) Reports concerning potentially politically motivated investigations immediately ahead of the 2016 election are very troubling.” (@PressSec)
• “(2/4) President Trump is requesting that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees” (@PressSec)
• “(3/4) exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016.” (@PressSec)
• “(4/4) Neither the White House nor the President will comment further until such oversight is conducted.”(@PressSec)

Former Trump campaign manager claims the Obama administration listened in on conversations between then Senator Jeff Sessions and Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak (Fox News)

OMB Director Mick Mulvaney joins Maria Bartiromo on Fox News (YouTube)

• no comment on recent Trump allegations against Obama
• sticks by $54 billion boost in defense spending, considers it a first step
• supports border adjustment tax along with Secretary Mnuchin
• Priorities in upcoming budget: defense, homeland security, law enforcement, school choice
• Infrastructure budget will come later
• Overall order of legislation: Obamacare repeal and replace first, then tax reform, lastly infrastructure packages

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), member of Senate Intelligence Committee joins Chris Wallace

• committee has already begun inquiry into Russia’s connections with election
• has seen no evidence that the Obama administration had Trump Tower wire tapped
• has seen no evidence of collusion between Trump associates and Russia
• does not see need for special counsel for investigation, would like to see the Senate move forward to approve Trump’s Deputy Attorney General

Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey says President Trump is correct regarding surveillence (YouTube)

NYT reports that FBI Director James Comey is asking the DOJ to reject President Trump’s assertion that Obama had tapped the lines at Trump Tower NY.  This is according to anonymous sources, FBI and DOJ spokesmen have both declined to comment (NYT)

President Trump sends additional tweet thanking supporters for holding rallies across the country yesterday (@realDonaldTrump)

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) raised questions regarding Trump’s tweets, denied Obama’s involvement in wire taps (The Hill)

Afternoon

Evening

Latest update: Democrats seek details regarding communications between White House, Russia (AP)