Top Dem slams Trump for saying party made up Russia’s election interference

The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee is slamming President Trump for saying Democrats “made up” the story that Russia interfered in the presidential election.

“Mr. President, the Russians hacked our election and interfered. No one disputes this now, but you,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) wrote in the first of several tweets responding to Trump. “This is what is called ‘fact.’ ”

Mr. President, the Russians hacked our election and interfered. No one disputes this now, but you. This is what is called “fact”. https://t.co/izJhR5xRrf

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 20, 2017

The Twitter spat comes hours before FBI Director James Comey is set to testify in front of Schiff’s committee about Russia’s interference in the U.S. presidential election.

{mosads}Schiff said the hearing will also address Trump’s claim that former President Obama wiretapped Trump Tower just before the November election. Trump earlier this month, without evidence, accused Obama of ordering the surveillance of his campaign. Obama, through a spokesman at the time, denied that he or any other White House official called for surveillance.

Schiff also criticized Trump for the White House’s suggestion that the British aided Obama in the wiretapping, a reference to an accusation made by press secretary Sean Spicer last week. Spicer’s comments irritated the British, who denied the report. 

“The intelligence community concluded the Russians will interfere again. This is why full investigation is important to country. Please stop,” Schiff wrote in the last tweet. 

The intelligence community concluded the Russians will interfere again. This is why full investigation is important to country. Please stop.

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 20, 2017

Trump early Monday wrote on Twitter that the Democrats made up the story about Russia’s election interference and said Congress should be focusing on searching for leakers.

“The Democrats made up and pushed the Russian story as an excuse for running a terrible campaign. Big advantage in Electoral College & lost!” the president said.

The intelligence community concluded in a declassified report released in January that Russian President Vladimir Putin called for an information campaign aimed at helping Trump win the White House.