A top House Republican promised to keep an open mind and play a role in a requested investigation from the White House into President Trump’s claims that former President Obama tapped Trump Tower phones.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican who serves as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said on Fox News Congress will take a “hard look” at Trump’s claims.
“(Rep.) Devin Nunes and the House Intelligence Committee will take the lead on this, but we’re going to play a role, the Oversight committee,” Chaffetz said. “I’m going to go into it eyes wide open.”
Chaffetz, who was the victim of a leak from the Secret Service while Obama was in office, said he’s not shocked by the claims.
While Trump hasn’t presented evidence for his claims, Chaffetz said tactics by Obama’s administration like the IRS investigating conservative groups and certain reporters, and the Secret Service leaks about Chaffetz’s application to the service, show the previous president was capable of such a decision.
“We’ve had experience, the Obama administration has been notorious on this kind of stuff,” he said.
Chaffetz said he hasn’t had contact with FBI Director James Comey yet about Trump’s allegations.
He added there should be a paper trail linking the Obama administration to requests for FISA warrants to tap Trump Tower. But, he left open the possibility that Obama did illegally tap Trump’s home and office.
“This stuff does happen, and it’s not necessarily done the legal, lawful way,” he said.
