Trump pushes for Sessions to probe Obama on Russia
in office and asked why his sion of the tweet with the predecessor didn’t intervene. correct spelling.)
“Question: If all of the RusThe morning tweet was the WASHINGTON — President sian meddling took place latest in Trump’s often-anDonald Trump on Wednesduring the Obama Admin- gry running commentary day lashed out at Attorney istration, right up to Janu- on the investigation in the General Jeff Sessions, sugary 20th, why aren’t they five days since the Justice gesting the president’s supthe subject of the investi- Department’s special coun- porters should pressure Sesgation?” Trump said in his sel announced a sweeping sions to focus the investi- tweet. “Why didn’t Obama indictment of what prosecugation into Russian elec- do something about the tors say is a notorious Rustion meddling on President meddling? Why aren’t Dem sian group of internet trolls. Barack Obama’s adminis- crimes under investigation?” On Friday, 13 individuals tration. “Ask Jeff Session!” he con- and three companies were
Taking to Twitter, Trump cluded, misspelling the last charged with a long-running said that the meddling name of his attorney general. scheme to criminally inter- occurred while Obama was (Trump later sent a new ver- fere with the 2016 presiden- tial election. The Obama administraflawed” at the time. Since
As he has in other tweets, tion did take some actions then, his administration has Trump tried to deflect attentoward Russia before the drawn criticism for failing to tion from questions about election, but its most sig- implement the sanctions. whether his campaign col- nificant retaliatory measure Trump has publicly luded with Russia — an alle- came after Trump’s victory. attacked Sessions for months gation he has vigorously Obama ordered 35 Russian on issues related to the Rusdenied. diplomats and suspected sia investigation. Over the
Wednesday’s tweet also intelligence agents to leave summer, Trump expressed offered further evidence the United States, and he anger that Sessions — an early of Trump’s continued fasalso imposed sanctions on supporter of his presidencination with Obama. On some Russian individuals tial campaign — had recused Tuesday, Trump claimed on and organizations. himself from the investigaTwitter that he has “been In August, Trump signed tion and said he would have much tougher on Russia a sanctions bill that passed picked someone else if he than Obama, just look at with large bipartisan majori- had known that would hapthe facts.” ties but said it was “seriously pen.