White House calls on Congress to investigate Trump’s wiretap claims

White House press secretary Sean Spicer early Sunday said investigations into Russian attempts to influence the election should include President Trump’s claims that the Obama administration “abused” its investigative powers in 2016.

“Reports concerning potentially politically motivated investigations immediately ahead of the 2016 election are very troubling,” Spicer tweeted.

(1/4) Reports concerning potentially politically motivated investigations immediately ahead of the 2016 election are very troubling.

— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) March 5, 2017

Spicer said Trump is requesting that congressional committees determine whether “executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016.”

(2/4) President Trump is requesting that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees

— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) March 5, 2017

(3/4) exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016.

— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) March 5, 2017

“Neither the White House nor the President will comment further until such oversight is conducted,” Spicer added.

(4/4) Neither the White House nor the President will comment further until such oversight is conducted.

— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) March 5, 2017

{mosads}Trump early Saturday alleged that former President Obama ordered surveillance of the real estate mogul before the November election.

Democrats slammed Trump for making the accusations without offering evidence, characterizing his claim as an effort to distract from renewed scrutiny of his aides and allies’ alleged ties to Russia.