US President Donald Trump lashed out at Senator Richard Blumenthal in a series of tweets on Monday, after the Democrat voiced his concern at the Department of Justice cracking down on journalists and leaks.
Although officially on a 17-day vacation in his New Jersey golf club, Trump still found time to attack Blumenthal, calling him a liar for statements he made in 2010 about his military service during the Vietnam War.
“Interesting to watch Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut talking about hoax Russian collusion when he was a phony Vietnam con artist!” the president tweeted.
“Never in US history has anyone lied or defrauded voters like Senator Richard Blumenthal,” Trump wrote. “He told stories about his Vietnam battles and conquests, how brave he was, and it was all a lie. He cried like a baby and begged for forgiveness like a child. Now he judges collusion?”
Blumenthal, who is Jewish, had appeared on CNN’s “New Day” earlier, saying the investigation into Russian meddling in the election and possible collusion by the Trump campaign must be pursued.
He also said he was worried about the Justice Department reviewing subpoena policies for reporters.
“I’m very concerned that the Department of Justice is weaponizing these laws for its personal and political ends, and specifically for the White House’s purposes,” he told the news network.
“That’s a chilling effect on the press and on whistle-blowers, and on information that doesn’t involve classified data or disclosures, but in fact may be just embarrassing or unwelcome,” he added.
Many of the reports that ultimately led to the special counsel investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and the Russian government came from news stories which were initially denied by the president or decried by the White House as fake news. Former FBI director Robert Mueller is heading the investigation.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., in Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2015. (Lauren Victoria Burke/AP)
Trump’s description of the senator as a “Vietnam con artist” was seemingly a reference to speeches Blumenthal made implying he had served in Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, Blumenthal served in the Marine Corps Reserve units in Washington, DC, and Connecticut but never saw active combat. During his 2010 election campaign The New York Times reported that Blumenthal misspoke on at least one occasion about his service.
Trump himself deferred his military service four times to avoid serving during the Vietnam War, and in 1968 received a medical deferment.
Trump also used Twitter to insist his support is stronger than ever, despite a report that some Republicans are weighing a 2020 presidential run without him.
In a flurry of early morning tweets Monday, Trump says “the Trump base far bigger & stronger than ever before (despite some phony Fake News polling).” He specifically criticized the “failing @nytimes.” The New York Times detailed efforts by some Republicans looking ahead to 2020, including Vice President Mike Pence. Pence called the report false.
Earlier in the day Trump had tweeted that despite being away from the White House he was busy working.
“Working hard from New Jersey while White House goes through long planned renovation. Going to New York next week for more meetings,” he tweeted.
However, his public schedule appeared to show that he had nothing planned for the day, leading some journalists to ask what he was working on.
Mr. President, you have no meetings on your schedule today. Could you tell us what you’re working on? pic.twitter.com/yg7pyv9rcM
— Gregory Korte (@gregorykorte) August 7, 2017