ADVERTISEMENT
At the same time, Trump’s remarks drew support from segments of the political base who viewed the 2016 election and subsequent intelligence investigations through a lens of distrust toward federal agencies. The Department of Justice’s investigation into Russian interference, the Special Counsel inquiry led by Robert Mueller, and various congressional hearings had all been politically charged, resulting in differing interpretations across the political spectrum. For many supporters, Trump’s statements were seen as a continuation of his longstanding narrative: that the election was unfairly influenced and that previous administrations had overstepped their bounds.
