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Trump and Rep. Schiff Battle on Twitter Over Russia and Wiretaps

Hours before FBI Director James Comey is set to testify at the House Intel Committee, ranking member Schiff goes off on POTUS in a tweetstorm.
Image: U.S. President Donald Trump walks from Marine One upon his return to the White House in Washington
President Donald Trump walks from Marine One upon his return to the White House in Washington, U.S., March 19, 2017.JOSHUA ROBERTS / Reuters

Congressman Adam Schiff, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, fired off a series of tweets at President Donald Trump Monday, one day after the lawmaker said there was "circumstantial evidence of collusion" between Trump's campaign and Russia.

The Twitter exchanges came just before FBI Director James Comey confirmed to the House Intelligence Committee that there was an investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election.

Comey also testified that he had "no information" to support Trump's claim that former President Barack Obama ordered a wiretap at Trump Tower.

Schiff appeared on Meet the Press Sunday, calling the wiretap allegations a "wild goose chase."

Schiff also told host Chuck Todd his committee would continue to investigate Russian interference with the November presidential election, and that he saw potential evidence of the Trump campaign's collusion with Russia.

"I would characterize it this way at the outset of the investigation: There is circumstantial evidence of collusion," said Schiff. "There is direct evidence, I think, of deception and that's where we begin the investigation."

Trump seemed to respond to the segment on Monday morning, tweeting about a lack of evidence showing collusion and saying the House committee should be looking into White House leaks instead.

Trump has refused to back down from accusations that Obama worked with British Intelligence to tap his phones during the campaign, though the claim has been disputed by political leaders on both sides of the aisle.

On Fox News Sunday, Republican House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes said a FISA warrant necessary for such a wiretap was never obtained.

"Was there a physical wiretap of Trump Tower? No, there never was," said Nunes. "The information we received Friday continues to lead us in that direction."