Obama Chief Of Staff: The President ‘Can Not,’ ‘Did Not’ Order A Wiretap

White House chief of staff Denis McDonough speaks at a news conference after meeting with Iron Rangers in Virginia, Minn., Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. President Obama sent McDonough to the Iron Range to hear about the co... White House chief of staff Denis McDonough speaks at a news conference after meeting with Iron Rangers in Virginia, Minn., Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. President Obama sent McDonough to the Iron Range to hear about the concerns of laid off steelworkers who have had their unemployment benefits run out. The visit comes a few days before Christmas and as hopes are dimming that the local steel industry will rebound anytime soon. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP) ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS OUT, MINNEAPOLIS-AREA TV OUT, MAGS OUT MORE LESS
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A former White House chief of staff under denied categorically that former President Obama ordered the wiretapping of Donald Trump, despite the current President’s unsubstantiated claims to the contrary.

Norah O’Donnell of “CBS This Morning” asked Dennis McDonough, Obama’s chief of staff from 2013 through 2017, about the “multiple tweets by Donald Trump where he said President Obama has tapped my phones.”

“Is it legal for a sitting president to be wiretapping during – can the president order a wiretap?” she asked.

“The President can not order a wiretap,” McDonough responded. “The President does not order a wiretap. The President did not order a wiretap.”

Trump stood by the charge that Obama ordered surveillance on him again on Wednesday, in an interview with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson. He did not offer any evidence to support his claim.

Earlier on Wednesday, the top Republican and Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said they had seen no evidence to support Trump’s claim. House Speaker Paul Ryan said the same during a press briefing on Thursday.

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Notable Replies

  1. Mr. McDonough is absolutely correct. A judge’s order is required to allow “wiretapping.” Trump is lying, or delusional, or both.

  2. He didn’t explain the " microwave in every room" order though ! –

  3. Reams of time wasted chasing down the drooling burps of a vulgarian…sad.

  4. OMG–a factual and sane statement–thank you!

  5. So, this is still a question, even…

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

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