[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 43 (Monday, March 13, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S1756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Wiretapping Allegation

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, there are a couple of issues that I will 
speak on, but I was asked earlier this morning about what President 
Trump has tweeted, basically charging former President Obama with 
having spied on him in a way that would be plainly illegal. Of course, 
President Obama's advisers have denied any such thing happened. If it 
did happen, of course, it would be a grave constitutional issue, and if 
such a thing did happen, it would be criminal conduct. Now, many people 
are saying: Well, is it true or not? Was Mr. Trump telling the truth in 
the tweet or not? There is a very simple response on this. There is one 
person who knows whether it is true or not, and he has been totally 
silent on this.
  They asked Attorney General Sessions. Attorney General Sessions made 
it very clear in his confirmation hearing--well, he said a number of 
things in his confirmation hearing, but one was, of course, that he 
would be independent. President Trump has leveled very serious charges 
against former President Obama. I happen to feel the charges are false, 
but let's have a definitive voice. The Attorney General should have the 
courage and independence to simply say whether Mr. Trump is telling the 
truth or not. It is a very simple matter. I would hope that the press 
and everybody else would keep asking because eventually somebody has to 
answer that question, and the Attorney General can.