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Not Even Mike Pence Can Defend Trump's Wiretapping Claim

Not Even Mike Pence Can Defend Trump's Wiretapping Claim
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 02: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a swearing-in ceremony in the Vice President's ceremonial office at Eisenhower Executive Office Building March 2, 2017 in Washington, DC. Ben Carson was sworn in as the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary in the Trump Administration. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Alex Wong via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 02: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a swearing-in ceremony in the Vice President's ceremonial office at Eisenhower Executive Office Building March 2, 2017 in Washington, DC. Ben Carson was sworn in as the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary in the Trump Administration. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Vice President Mike Pence struggled on Tuesday to defend President Donald Trump’s allegation that former President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Asked whether he thought Trump’s tweets were a “good move,” Pence declined to weigh in.

“I think the president’s tweet speaks for itself. He’s expressed himself on it. And we’re very pleased that the congressional committees have made it clear that they will look into that matter, just as they’re looking into every aspect of it,” Pence said during an interview with Fox News Radio’s “Kilmeade and Friends.”

There is no evidence to support Trump’s claim, though members of Congress have said they will investigate it. FBI director Jim Comey reportedly asked the Department of Justice to deny it.

After the question about the tweets, Pence tried to pivot the interview away from the controversy.

“I can tell you that the focus here at the White House is eyes forward and completely focused on the president’s agenda to repeal and replace Obamacare and to put the national security of this country first,” he said.

White House aides have sourced Trump’s claim to news reports, but have struggled to defend it. White House press secretary Sean Spicer used similar language as Pence on Monday when addressing Trump’s tweets.

“I’m just going to let the tweet speak for itself,” Spicer said.

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