As Robert Mueller closes in, Trump is demanding that Attorney General Jeff Sessions launch an investigation of former President Obama for Russian election meddling.
Trump tweeted:
Question: If all of the Russian meddling took place during the Obama Administration, right up to January 20th, why aren’t they the subject of the investigation? Why didn’t Obama do something about the meddling? Why aren’t Dem crimes under investigation? Ask Jeff Sessions!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2018
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Trump’s investigation of Obama would be a criminal abuse of power
Trump wants Obama investigated because his excuse that it was Hillary Clinton who colluded with the Russians has fallen apart. What Trump is disingenuously muddying is the difference between Russians starting their activities in 2014 on social media, and the active interference to help Donald Trump win that began in June 2016. In 2014, the Russians were trying to create divisions on issues, but by June 2016 they were interfering in a presidential election to help Trump.
Obama took action against Putin for Russia’s actions. Trump denied that the Russians interfered in the election. It was the Obama administration that warned the public about Russian election interference, and it was Trump’s Republican Party that blocked the release a joint Obama/GOP statement warning about Russia’s activities. If Trump’s Justice Department investigates Obama, it will be a criminal abuse of Executive Branch power.
An investigation of Obama would be an impeachable offense, and it still won’t stop Robert Mueller from picking off Trump and Russia cronies.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
