President Donald Trump is pressing Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to call for former President Barack Obama to testify before Congress.
The president took to Twitter on Thursday with a statement to Graham about what he describes as the “biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA.”
Accusing Obama of knowing “everything” without offering any specific details about the alleged crime, Trump is demanding that Graham initiate a request for Obama’s testimony.
“If I were a Senator or Congressman, the first person I would call to testify about the biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA, by FAR, is former President Obama. He knew EVERYTHING,” Trump tweeted, adding, “Do it [Lindsey Graham], just do it. No more Mr. Nice Guy. No more talk!”
If I were a Senator or Congressman, the first person I would call to testify about the biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA, by FAR, is former President Obama. He knew EVERYTHING. Do it @LindseyGrahamSC, just do it. No more Mr. Nice Guy. No more talk!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2020
Trump’s latest demanding tweet comes amid the president’s “Obamagate” allegations. However, multiple Republicans, including Graham have disagreed with the president’s stance.
In fact, on Tuesday, Graham spoke out about the possibility of Obama being called on to testify. Although he insists Trump has a reason to be upset with the Obama administration, he made it clear he did not anticipate calling on the former president to testify.
“I’m not anticipating calling President Obama,” Graham said, adding, “I think the president’s got a real good reason to be upset with the Obama people.”
Additionally, Graham spoke on the idea to have Obama testify, saying in a statement on Thursday that he is “greatly concerned about the precedent that would be set by calling a former president for oversight.”
He continued:
“No president is above the law. However, the presidency has executive privilege claims against other branches of government. … As to the Judiciary Committee, both presidents are welcome to come before the committee and share their concerns about each other. If nothing else it would make for great television. However, I have great doubts about whether it would be wise for the country.”
Other Senate Republicans have also echoed Graham’s sentiments, also expressing that they understood Trump’s frustration. However, they disagree with his approach and public calls for the former president’s testimony.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has also weighed in with his stance.
“He was accused of being a stooge for [Vladimir] Putin and then subject to the appointment of a special counsel,” Cornyn said. “I understand why the president feels like he’s under assault. But I think we need to do our own independent investigation.”
He added, “But I think we have an important role to play in terms of congressional oversight.”