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Fox News: GOP expects 'smoking gun' proving Obama admin spied on Trump

Dave Lawler, author of World

Jack Gruber / AP

Republicans in Congress are expecting a "smoking gun" showing the Obama administration intentionally spied on Trump associates, and possibly Trump himself, Fox News reports:

The intelligence is said to leave no doubt the Obama administration, in its closing days, was using the cover of legitimate surveillance on foreign targets to spy on President-elect Trump, sources said.

A source told Fox that the surveillance left a "paper trail" indicating there was "no other plausible purpose... than to damage the incoming Trump administration." No, Trump Tower wasn't bugged, as POTUS claimed, but if the report is accurate his transition team was targeted for surveillance.

What's next: Fox says the House Intelligence Committee expects to receive the evidence this week. Trump said he felt "somewhat" vindicated by Devin Nunes' statements yesterday about "incidental" surveillance of Trump's communications. Expect him to be less restrained if this report proves accurate.

Go deeper

Margaret Talev
11 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Axios-Ipsos poll: Trust in federal coronavirus response surges

Data: Axios/Ipsos survey; Chart: Danielle Alberti/Axios

Trust surged in the federal government since President Biden's inauguration when it comes to COVID-19 — but that's almost entirely because of Democrats gaining confidence, according to the latest installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.

The big picture: Americans reported the biggest improvement in their mental and emotional health since our survey began last March, and the highest trust levels since April about the federal government providing them accurate virus information and looking out for their best interests.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
7 hours ago - Politics & Policy

McConnell drops filibuster demand, paving way for power-sharing deal

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (R) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attend a joint session of Congress. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has abandoned his demand that Democrats state, in writing, that they would not abandon the legislative filibuster.

Between the lines: McConnell was never going to agree to a 50-50 power sharing deal without putting up a fight over keeping the 60-vote threshold. But the minority leader ultimately caved after it became clear that delaying the organizing resolution was no longer feasible.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Ashley Gold
8 hours ago - Technology

Scoop: Google won't donate to members of Congress who voted against election results

Sen. Ted Cruz led the group of Republicans who opposed certifying the results. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Google will not make contributions from its political action committee this cycle to any member of Congress who voted against certifying the results of the presidential election, following the deadly Capitol riot.

Why it matters: Several major businesses paused or pulled political donations following the events of Jan. 6, when pro-Trump rioters, riled up by former President Trump, stormed the Capitol on the day it was to certify the election results.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow

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