Testifying in front of the House Intelligence Committee Monday FBI Director James Comey said after a long search, neither the Bureau nor the Department of Justice has any evidence President Obama had now President Donald Trump wiretapped during the 2016 presidential campaign.
"With respect to the President's tweets about alleged wiretapping directed at him by the prior administration, I have no information that supports those tweets," Comey said. "We [FBI and DOJ] have no information that supports them."
"No president could [unilaterally order a wiretap of anyone]," he continued.
FBI Dir. James Comey: We have no information that supports @POTUS @realDonaldTrump's wiretapping tweets. pic.twitter.com/irawWxNZYX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 20, 2017
Nearly three weeks ago, President Trump sent out the following tweets, which Comey referred to during his testimony.
Is it legal for a sitting President to be "wire tapping" a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017
I'd bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to Election!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017
How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017
Last week top Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, in addition to Speaker Paul Ryan, also said they have no evidence to back up President Trump's wiretapping claims.
The White House maintains President Trump was referring to overall surveillance, not specifically to wiretapping.
This post has been updated with additional information.