“My job is to represent the president and talk about what he is doing and what he wants," Sean Spicer said. | AP Photo Spicer won’t say whether he believes Trump’s wiretapping claim

White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Tuesday continued to defend President Donald Trump for accusing Barack Obama of ordering an illegal wiretap of his phone lines without offering proof — but the spokesman refused to say whether he believes his boss’ claim.

“I get that that’s a cute question to ask,” Spicer said at the afternoon press briefing, dismissing a reporter who asked him if he believes the president’s explosive, and so far evidence-free, claim. “My job is to represent the president and talk about what he is doing and what he wants. And he has made very clear what his goal is, what he would like to have happen.”


“I'll leave it at that,” Spicer continued. “I think we’ve tried to play this game before. I’m not here to speak for myself. I’m here to speak for the president of the United States and our government.”

Trump shocked lawmakers — and, reportedly, his own aides — this weekend when he accused his predecessor of ordering surveillance of Trump Tower during the election. He has offered no evidence to support the assertion, which if true would be illegal, and Obama’s spokesperson and director of national intelligence, James Clapper, have both flatly denied it. FBI Director James Comey, meanwhile, took the extraordinary step of asking Trump’s Justice Department to rebuke the president and say the charge is untrue (the DOJ has not come out with such a statement).

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Despite not offering evidence to back up the claim, Trump has demanded that the House and Senate intelligence committees investigate it. News reports indicate that Trump may have picked up the allegation from conservative media sources.

Spicer also confirmed Tuesday that Trump has not asked the FBI director whether or not the allegation is true. Spicer justified the lack of contact by arguing that the White House could be seen as interfering in an investigation if it did so.

“It’s a no-win situation,” Spicer said.