Trump dumps on FBI
Donald Trump has turned on the FBI, insisting its reputation is in tatters. In a series of tweets, the US President accused the agency’s former boss of lying about him.
DONALD Trump has turned on the FBI, insisting its reputation is in tatters.
In a series of Twitter messages, the US President accused the agency’s former boss of lying about a conversation with him.
The FBI is investigating claims that Mr Trump’s campaign team colluded with the Kremlin in last year’s race for the White House.
Mr Trump exploited news that a senior FBI agent was removed from the probe following the discovery of text messages suggesting he was pro-Clinton during the presidential race.
The agent, Peter Strzok, led the high-profile investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.
The President said this was an example of the bureau’s dishonesty and indifference to Mrs Clinton’s alleged crimes.
And he turned his fire again on former FBI chief James Comey. He tweeted: “After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters – worst in History! But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.”
He later tweeted: “Report: ‘Anti-Trump FBI Agent Led Clinton Email Probe’ Now it all starts to make sense!”
Mr Trump also said the new FBI director needed to “clean house”.
Mr Trump again contradicted former FBI chief James Comey’s bombshell claim that he had asked him to stop investigating former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
If true, legal experts say the president could be impeached for obstruction of justice. “I never asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn. Just more Fake News covering another Comey lie!,” Mr Trump tweeted.
THE FBI, ITS REPUTATION IS IN TATTERS — WORST IN HISTORY! BUT FEAR NOT, WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO GREATNESS DONALD TRUMP
Meanwhile Mr Trump has been warned of “dangerous consequences” if the US recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel rather than Tel Aviv. There is growing speculation the president will make the unprecedented move.
However, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned any move would jeopardise the White House’s Middle East peace efforts.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said that the move would spark anger across the Arab world.