Congress to add wiretapping claim to probes of Russia’s election actions

WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House says Congress should expand its investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election to include President Donald Trump’s claim of wiretapping at Trump Tower by the Obama administration. And lawmakers appear to be heeding that request.

House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes says Trump’s allegation will become part of his panel’s investigation. The California Republican says in a statement his committee “will make inquiries into whether the government was conducting surveillance activities on any political party’s campaign officials or surrogates.”

The committee was already investigating Russian interference in the presidential election.

A Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee also said he believes the wiretapping allegation will become part of that committee’s investigation into Russian actions during the election. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton told “Fox News Sunday” that “We’re going to follow the facts wherever they lead us. And I’m sure that this matter will be a part of that inquiry.”