Washington DC, May 24: United States President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered American intelligence agencies to cooperate with a probe into special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation over Russia meddling 2016 US presidential elections.
According to BBC news reports, an investigation which was headed by Attorney-General William Barr was examining the origins of Mueller’s Russian investigation.
It was a shocking request by the US president, who often termed the inquiry into the Russian interference as a “witch hunt”.
On Thursday, Trump announced an order that offered AG William Barr sweeping fresh powers, also including to declassify documents.
Barr has been already subjected to an intense condemnation and scrutiny by Democrats, who have accused Barr of acting over the president’s behalf, as well as, not in the interest of national.
Trump has repeatedly suggested the 2016 election campaign of his was spied on and accused the intelligence agencies of abusing their power.
Moreover, he has stated this could directly amount to a “treason” and suggested those involved in spying should be charged and criminally prosecuted.
My Campaign for President was conclusively spied on. Nothing like this has ever happened in American Politics. A really bad situation. TREASON means long jail sentences, and this was TREASON!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 17, 2019
Barr, in April, told the US Congress “spying did occur” over Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, and stated he wanted to do inquiry in order to ensure that any intelligence gathering had been legitimate.
Early May, Barr assigned a federal prosecutor to have a look over the origins of Mueller’s Russian investigation. Trump declined Barr to do so.
“Today’s action will help ensure that all Americans learn the truth about the events that occurred, and the actions that were taken, during the last presidential election and will restore confidence in our public institutions,” press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.