White House messaging guidance to Congress: Obama abused power

In “talking points” messaging guidance delivered to Republican inboxes on Capitol Hill, the White House said that the Obama administration repeatedly abused its power, citing, among other information, Internal Revenue Service targeting of conservative groups and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms’ “Fast and Furious gun running operation.”

The talking points memo also dismissed as not credible former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper’s denials that the Obama administration sought Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants as a part of an investigation into Trump’s Russia ties and engaged in what, in that case, would be legal surveillance.

“The fact of the matter is the Obama White House routinely abused its power to promote its political goals, and this may have been the latest example,” the White House messaging guidance said.

Obama, through a spokesman, has denied Trump’s allegations, first made during a weekend tweetstorm, which so far are unfounded and appear to be based on an article in Breitbart News and additional analysis by conservative talk radio host Mark Levin, an attorney who previously served in the Justice Department. The president has adamantly denied any ties to Russia that would explain why he has treated strongman Vladimir Putin with kid gloves, an approach he has not afforded other U.S. adversaries.

Many congressional Republicans are doing their best to ignore Trump’s accusations against his predecessor, focusing instead on the pending rollout of their proposal to repeal and replace Obamacare, and tax reform. But the inclusion of a lengthy defense of Trump’s position in Monday’s talking points could signal that the White House intends to keep the issue front and center.

Below are the portion of the talking points that address Trump’s wiretapping accusations, plus a defense of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who recused himself from any federal investigation into Trump’s Russia connections. Democrats maintain that Putin meddled in the 2016 election to help elect Trump, whom he sees as a fellow nationalist.

Press Secretary Statement on Congressional Investigations

* News reports in the BBC, Fox News, National Review and other outlets concerning potentially politically motivated investigations immediately ahead of the 2016 election are very troubling. * President Donald J. Trump is requesting that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016. * Neither the White House nor the President will comment further until such oversight is conducted.Comments by Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper Regarding Ongoing Investigation * BACKGROUND: Former DNC James Clapper claimed there was “no wiretap activity mounted against the President-elect at the time or as a candidate or against his campaign.” * James Clapper cannot be the final word on this matter, because he previously lied under oath to Congress about the scope of Obama Administration surveillance activities. * Nor can we believe the Obama Administration would not have abused its power because they already did the following: * Used intelligence agencies to spread compartmentalized classified information into other settings to undermine Trump presidency. * Was aware of the IRS’s illegal targeting of tea party and other conservative groups’ non-profit status. * Lied to Congressional investigators reviewing ATF’s Fast & Furious gun running operation. * Deceived the public about the nature of the Benghazi terror attack. * Utilized the Treasury Department to make what amounted to illegal ransom payments to Iran in exchange for hostages. * Routinely interfered with lawful Freedom of Information Act requests from citizens. * The fact of the matter is the Obama White House routinely abused its power to promote its political goals, and this may have been the latest example. * Former AG Mukasey on ABC’s This Week: “I think [the President] is right in that there was surveillance conducted at the behest of the Justice Department.”Attorney General Sessions Recusal * As the Attorney General said in his statement: “This announcement should not be interpreted as confirmation of the existence of any investigation or suggestive of the scope of any such investigation.” * The President believes Attorney General Sessions is an honest man and that he did not say anything wrong. * The Attorney General made this decision after extensive discussion with career DOJ personnel, showing beyond any shadow of a doubt that Attorney General Sessions is the attorney general this country needs: a man of true integrity and honor. * This narrative is just a way for Democrats to save face after losing an election they thought they were supposed to win. * The real story is all of the illegal leaks of classified and other information. It is a total witch hunt! Democrat Attacks on Attorney General Jeff Sessions

* During his confirmation hearing, Attorney General Sessions specifically stated that he did not have any contacts with Russia in his role as “surrogate” for the campaign. He spoke with the Russian Ambassador as part of his duties as a Senior Member of the Armed Services Committee, which is entirely appropriate. * The Attorney General answered honestly and correctly the questions that he was asked by Senators Franken and Leahy in written testimony. He did not speak to any Russian officials as a surrogate of the campaign nor any Russian official about the 2016 campaign. * Attorney General Sessions met with over 25 Ambassadors of foreign countries in 2016 as part of his duties as a Senior Member of Senate Armed Forces committee. * In fact, he had a meeting with the Ukraine Ambassador just the day prior to the meeting with the Russian Ambassador. * Clearly, these meetings were part of his responsibilities as a senior member of the Senate Armed Services and not the campaign conspiracy theories Senator Franken was referring to in his questioning. * This is a political witch hunt by Democrats who are petrified at real change being accomplished by President Trump and his Administration. * IF PRESSED: This is typical Democrat hypocrisy. None of these same Democrats that are questioning Attorney General Sessions’ independence, were critical of Attorney General Lynch when she refused to recuse herself during the Clinton email investigation, despite her hour-long meeting with Bill Clinton during the heart of the investigation.