It's possible that Trump used the wiretapping accusation as an excuse to have access

[no_hypocrisy]

to highly sensitive intelligence data.

It reminds me of a procedural tactic in civil litigation: Summary Judgment.

When you make a motion for summary judgment after a spell into Discovery, you're making a claim that there is enough or insufficient evidence and because of the quality and quantity of evidence so far, your client should avoid trial and "win on the papers".

To overcome a motion for summary judgment, you show all the documents, etc. to your adversary and to the court to show the action should proceed to trial. Either the other side wins the motion and everyone goes home or the matter proceeds to trial. If the latter, no problem! The adversary now has more information than it did before the motion.

My point: To prove there isn't any evidence of wiretapping, the CIA/FBI and the Obama WH have to prove a negative and the Trump WH, for example, may be able to examine evidence of OTHER wiretapping, unrelated to the Obama WH.

[HoneyBadger]

1. Was Trump wiretapped?

[no_hypocrisy]

3. I don't know and does it matter?

If the goal is to have access to classified information, the claim could be a ruse.

[HoneyBadger]

12. If he was not wiretapped, Twitter would have reason to ban him

[fun n serious]

4. If he was, it was done lawfully and...

it means there is probable cause.

[wishstar]

10. He and/or his associates probably got swept up in wiretaps of Russian operatives

There are Russians who either live at or have been visiting Trump Towers. US and foreign intelligence agencies probably conducted wiretapping involving Trump Tower in order to monitor phone calls and movements of suspected Russian operatives. So, if these Russians were communicating and meeting with Trump or Trump associates, our intelligence community likely has that information, explaining some of leaks coming out.

Although Clapper and Comey have indicated there were not any US FISA wiretaps intentionally targeting Trump and associates, that would not rule out wiretaps targeting Russian operatives for national security purposes (that could have inadvertently captured communications with Trump and/or associates) that they would not be allowed to reveal.

[HoneyBadger]

13. The idea of wiretapping Trump Tower seems way too broad, as is wiretapping Russians in general

Wouldn't they need to list specific phone numbers? And how they are supposed to handle them; i.e. what they can use vs not use? As a long time fan of The Wire (best TV series ever produced), I am certainly intrigued.

[brooklynite]

2. My attribute Machiavellian cleverness when paranoia and idiocy will do?

The President, by virtue of his office, can see any intelligence data he wants. He doesn't need to gin up an excuse.

[Trust Buster]

5. No, Chump accused Obama of this by projection because he knows the he would do something

like this. Classic projection folks. The media is ignoring this angle. Chump is testifying that he would have no problem grossly abusing the power of the office.

[Jarqui]

7. Significantly because of his ignorance of how to do the job

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Here ya go: Conway challenges Comey to release info on Trump's wiretap allegation

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/06/conway-challenges-comey-to-release-info-on-trumps-wiretap-allegation.html


Senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway challenged FBI Director James Comey Sunday to reveal any information he might have about President Trump’s allegations that former President Obama ordered the wiretapping of Trump Tower during the 2016 presidential campaign.

[nocalflea]

8. Trump knows nothing of the law

-that's what lawyers are for.(that's his thinking).He's a compulsive imbecile.

[Vinca]

9. No. He's not that bright.

He just wanted to draw attention to himself again and didn't give it much thought. He didn't realize that if he was proved right, that would mean he's guilty.

[wishstar]

11. Agree- he is exhibiting classic malignant narcissistic attacks in order to distract/deflect

But in his position of power, his need for revenge and blame fueled by racism and jealousy of Pres. Obama has escalated to a dangerous level- as Michelle Obama predicted when she warned us that the Presidency magnifies a person's worst traits

He had a massive psychic blow when his speech performance was dragged down by Sessions/Russia controversy at the same time that the right wing media has been furiously ramping up stories blaming Pres. Obama for the leaks and failures of Trump Administration.

Unfortunately he is surrounded by staff and supporters who eagerly enable and spread his delusions. This is how notorious tyrants and dictators in history attained so much destructive power that was hard to stop.