President Trump's new housing secretary has caused controversy after referring to slaves who were brought from Africa to America as "immigrants".
Dr Ben Carson, who is the only black member of Mr Trump's cabinet, was making his first speech to staff at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) when he made the remarks - described as "offensive" by civil rights campaigners.
He was praising the work ethic of immigrants who dreamed of success for their families in the US when he said: "There were other immigrants who came here in the bottom of slave ships, worked even longer, even harder for less.
"But they too had a dream that one day their sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, great-grandsons, great-granddaughters might pursue prosperity and happiness in this land."
Enslaved Africans did not voluntarily come to the US and were denied freedom for hundreds of years.
Although Dr Carson received a standing ovation from hundreds of HUD staff, a backlash quickly followed.
Rana Hogarth, a history professor and expert on American slavery, described Dr Carson's comparison as "inappropriate and wildly inaccurate", as immigration suggests "a desire of a person to make the journey".
Rebecca Scott, a law and history professor at the University of Michigan, added that slavery in the US was a "dramatically distinct form of migration".
She explained: "That people had aspirations for their children regardless of how they were brought to the United States was certainly true. Their capacity to see their aspirations realised was starkly limited by slavery."
In a tweet which appears to have since been deleted, the Department of Housing and Urban Development wrote: "This is the most cynical interpretation of the Secretary's remarks to an army of welcoming HUD employees.
"No one honestly believes he equates voluntary immigration with involuntary servitude!"
The furore will likely prove an unwelcome distraction for Dr Carson, who has just begun his first full week leading the department since he was confirmed by the Senate last week.
His department is responsible for providing housing assistance to people on low incomes through vouchers and public housing - and his role could see him play a prominent role in reviving poor neighbourhoods.
Dr Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who ran against Mr Trump as a Republican presidential candidate last year, himself grew up in a Detroit ghetto.
This is not the first time he has been criticised for making insensitive remarks.
In 2013, he described Obamacare - also known as the Affordable Care Act - as "the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery".
Monday, March 6, 2017
Trump signs new Muslim travel ban excluding Iraq
Donald Trump has signed a revised travel ban that will temporarily halt entry to the US for people from six Muslim-majority nations.
Under the Republican president's order announced on Monday, a 90-day ban on travel to the US will be imposed on citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Travellers holding pre-existing visas would still be allowed entry, according to the new order, which will come into effect at midnight on March 16.
Green card holders will not be affected by the order.
Unlike the previous ban, the new directive does not include Iraq in its list of countries targeted, following pressure from the Pentagon and state department which had urged the White House to reconsider given Iraq's key role in fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.
OPINION: All international laws Trump's Muslim ban is breaking
Iraq said the revised order sends a "positive message" about the future of bilateral relations as the two countries work to combat ISIL, also known as ISIS.
Saad al-Hadithi, government spokesman, said the decision to revise the ban shows that there is a "real partnership" between Washington and Baghdad.
The new version also removed language that would give priority to religious minorities.
Critics had accused the administration of adding such language to help Christians get into the United States while excluding Muslims.
Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, DC, said: "[US officials] have tried to take what was the existing executive order, make it much tighter, and essentially make it bullet proof in the courts."
'Vital for security'
Rex Tillerson, US secretary of state, said that the renewed ban is "a vital measure for strengthening our national security".
"With this order, president Trump is exercising his rightful authority to keep our people safe," he said.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the order "responsibly provides a needed pause so we can carefully review how we scrutinise people coming here from these countries of concern".
Former FBI agent: Muslim ban 'not about security' - UpFront
"Three of these nations are state sponsors of terrorism," Sessions said, referring to Iran, Sudan and Syria, adding that others had served as "safe havens" for fighters.
Trump's first order, signed on January 27, led to chaos at airports, protests and international condemnation.
That order was ultimately blocked by the courts.
Many said the order had partially fulfilled Trump's campaign promise to ban Muslims from entering the US.
"There's going to be a very orderly process," a senior official from the homeland security department said.
"You should not see any chaos so to speak, or alleged chaos at airports. There aren't going to be folks stopped tonight from coming into the country because of this executive order."
Reactions
Peter Roff of Frontiers for Freedom, a right-wing think tank, welcomed the move.
"Muslims are not banned from America. On the contrary, Muslims are welcomed in America, but we are only trying to prevent terrorists from coming in who might be infiltrating our country as refugees.
"ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorists killed more Muslims than Christians and Jews."
WATCH: Is Trump's Muslim ban a gift to ISIL?
However, several Democrats condemned the new ban.
The leader of the minority Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said he expected the revised order to have the same uphill battle in the courts as the original version.
"A watered down ban is still a ban," he said in a statement.
"Despite the administration's changes, this dangerous executive order makes us less safe, not more, it is mean-spirited, and un-American. It must be repealed."
Trump's original ban resulted in more than two dozen legal cases in US courts.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson of Washington state, which succeeded in having the previous ban suspended, said he was "carefully reviewing" the new order.
Tom Perez, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said party members have a "responsibility to fight back".
"I've seen firsthand the difference we can make when we refuse to accept the hateful, immoral, unconstitutional actions of the Trump administration," Perez said.
Senator Dianne Feinstein said the ban "does not strengthen our national security".
"Painting more than 150 million people with the same broad brush is contrary to the principle of religious freedom and will do nothing to make us safer," she said.
READ MORE: UAE minister says Trump's travel ban not Islamophobic
Rights groups, meanwhile, criticised the new order.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said the new ban was a "scaled-back version that shares the same fatal flaws".
In a statement, ACLU said: "The only way to actually fix the Muslim ban is not to have a Muslim ban. Instead, President Trump has recommitted himself to religious discrimination, and he can expect continued disapproval from both the courts and the people."
Under the Republican president's order announced on Monday, a 90-day ban on travel to the US will be imposed on citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Travellers holding pre-existing visas would still be allowed entry, according to the new order, which will come into effect at midnight on March 16.
Green card holders will not be affected by the order.
Unlike the previous ban, the new directive does not include Iraq in its list of countries targeted, following pressure from the Pentagon and state department which had urged the White House to reconsider given Iraq's key role in fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.
OPINION: All international laws Trump's Muslim ban is breaking
Iraq said the revised order sends a "positive message" about the future of bilateral relations as the two countries work to combat ISIL, also known as ISIS.
Saad al-Hadithi, government spokesman, said the decision to revise the ban shows that there is a "real partnership" between Washington and Baghdad.
The new version also removed language that would give priority to religious minorities.
Critics had accused the administration of adding such language to help Christians get into the United States while excluding Muslims.
Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, DC, said: "[US officials] have tried to take what was the existing executive order, make it much tighter, and essentially make it bullet proof in the courts."
'Vital for security'
Rex Tillerson, US secretary of state, said that the renewed ban is "a vital measure for strengthening our national security".
"With this order, president Trump is exercising his rightful authority to keep our people safe," he said.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the order "responsibly provides a needed pause so we can carefully review how we scrutinise people coming here from these countries of concern".
Former FBI agent: Muslim ban 'not about security' - UpFront
"Three of these nations are state sponsors of terrorism," Sessions said, referring to Iran, Sudan and Syria, adding that others had served as "safe havens" for fighters.
Trump's first order, signed on January 27, led to chaos at airports, protests and international condemnation.
That order was ultimately blocked by the courts.
Many said the order had partially fulfilled Trump's campaign promise to ban Muslims from entering the US.
"There's going to be a very orderly process," a senior official from the homeland security department said.
"You should not see any chaos so to speak, or alleged chaos at airports. There aren't going to be folks stopped tonight from coming into the country because of this executive order."
Reactions
Peter Roff of Frontiers for Freedom, a right-wing think tank, welcomed the move.
"Muslims are not banned from America. On the contrary, Muslims are welcomed in America, but we are only trying to prevent terrorists from coming in who might be infiltrating our country as refugees.
"ISIS and al-Qaeda terrorists killed more Muslims than Christians and Jews."
WATCH: Is Trump's Muslim ban a gift to ISIL?
However, several Democrats condemned the new ban.
The leader of the minority Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said he expected the revised order to have the same uphill battle in the courts as the original version.
"A watered down ban is still a ban," he said in a statement.
"Despite the administration's changes, this dangerous executive order makes us less safe, not more, it is mean-spirited, and un-American. It must be repealed."
Trump's original ban resulted in more than two dozen legal cases in US courts.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson of Washington state, which succeeded in having the previous ban suspended, said he was "carefully reviewing" the new order.
Tom Perez, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said party members have a "responsibility to fight back".
"I've seen firsthand the difference we can make when we refuse to accept the hateful, immoral, unconstitutional actions of the Trump administration," Perez said.
Senator Dianne Feinstein said the ban "does not strengthen our national security".
"Painting more than 150 million people with the same broad brush is contrary to the principle of religious freedom and will do nothing to make us safer," she said.
READ MORE: UAE minister says Trump's travel ban not Islamophobic
Rights groups, meanwhile, criticised the new order.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said the new ban was a "scaled-back version that shares the same fatal flaws".
In a statement, ACLU said: "The only way to actually fix the Muslim ban is not to have a Muslim ban. Instead, President Trump has recommitted himself to religious discrimination, and he can expect continued disapproval from both the courts and the people."
Brexit: PM warns Lords amendment would 'incentivise' EU to give Britain a bad deal
Theresa May has warned peers they would give the European Union an incentive to offer Britain a bad Brexit deal if they pass a further amendment to the Article 50 bill.
The House of Lords is expected to vote on Tuesday on an amendment calling for Westminster to get a "meaningful" vote on the eventual Brexit agreement.
The PM has promised Parliament a vote, but only on a "take it or leave it" basis, which would see the UK leave the EU without a deal if MPs reject the agreement.
A number of peers also want the option of telling ministers to go back to the negotiating table to thrash out a better deal.
Some opposition members believe Mrs May's position that "no deal is better than a bad deal" risks a "cliff-edge" move onto World Trade Organization tariffs which would harm the UK economy.
Mrs May's spokesman said: "She believes we should not commit to any process that would incentivise the EU to offer us a bad deal.
"If we are in a position where any deal negotiated by the Prime Minister could be rejected by MPs, that gives strength potentially to other parties in the negotiation."
:: Chancellor warns Britain won't 'slink off as a wounded animal' over deal
Conservative MP Bob Neill has signalled he is one of those prepared to vote against the Government unless Mrs May gives Parliament more say on any Brexit deal.
Former Tory chancellor Lord Lamont has warned Brexit is "under attack" on several fronts and urged peers to "see sense" over their threats.
Lords who support Remain must not use their role scrutinising legislation as cover for opposing the will of the people, said Lord Lamont.
He also raised fears about lawyers "concocting some mysterious challenges" to Britain's withdrawal.
Lord Lamont said: "The result was clear, the question was simple and unambiguous and yet Brexit is under attack on several fronts.
"Some say maybe in the future the British people will change their minds. By that they mean they would like to change their minds for them."
The House of Lords is expected to vote on Tuesday on an amendment calling for Westminster to get a "meaningful" vote on the eventual Brexit agreement.
The PM has promised Parliament a vote, but only on a "take it or leave it" basis, which would see the UK leave the EU without a deal if MPs reject the agreement.
A number of peers also want the option of telling ministers to go back to the negotiating table to thrash out a better deal.
Some opposition members believe Mrs May's position that "no deal is better than a bad deal" risks a "cliff-edge" move onto World Trade Organization tariffs which would harm the UK economy.
Mrs May's spokesman said: "She believes we should not commit to any process that would incentivise the EU to offer us a bad deal.
"If we are in a position where any deal negotiated by the Prime Minister could be rejected by MPs, that gives strength potentially to other parties in the negotiation."
:: Chancellor warns Britain won't 'slink off as a wounded animal' over deal
Conservative MP Bob Neill has signalled he is one of those prepared to vote against the Government unless Mrs May gives Parliament more say on any Brexit deal.
Former Tory chancellor Lord Lamont has warned Brexit is "under attack" on several fronts and urged peers to "see sense" over their threats.
Lords who support Remain must not use their role scrutinising legislation as cover for opposing the will of the people, said Lord Lamont.
He also raised fears about lawyers "concocting some mysterious challenges" to Britain's withdrawal.
Lord Lamont said: "The result was clear, the question was simple and unambiguous and yet Brexit is under attack on several fronts.
"Some say maybe in the future the British people will change their minds. By that they mean they would like to change their minds for them."
Mamma Mia! Steps and ABBA's Benny and Bjorn team up for 'special album track'
Two ABBA stars have 'taken a chance' on Steps, teaming up with the British pop group for a "special track" on their comeback album.
The five-piece band's new record, Tears On The Dancefloor, marks 20 years since they formed, and they will also mark the anniversary by going back on the road for a UK tour.
'The name of the game' is collaboration, as new song Story Of A Heart was given to them by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from the Swedish superstar band. Steps' Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer, Ian "H" Watkins and Lee Latchford-Evans announced their comeback in a video on Twitter - and it could mean 'money, money, money' for the stars.
They said: "As you know it's our 20th anniversary year and we've promised loads of fun things.
"So to kick it off we've got a new album... We're also going to be touring up and down the country in November and December."
Tears On The Dancefloor is Steps' first studio album since 2012 and is set to be enjoyed by 'dancing queens' - and kings.
On working with Andersson and Ulvaeus, Scott-Lee told The Sun: "We've always had that comparison with ABBA so it's amazing to work with Benny and Bjorn.
"When we heard the special album track they gave to us we said, 'that's perfect'.
"It's a bridge to where we were and it moves on nicely to where we're taking the new music."
If the song proves to be popular, Steps will no doubt 'thank them for the music'.
The group formed following an advert in The Stage entertainment magazine in 1997.
They split up on Boxing Day 2001 but reunited a decade later.
The band, who had hits including 5,6,7,8 and Tragedy, announced another hiatus in 2013 but confirmed a second reunion earlier this year at London's G-A-Y nightclub.
The five-piece band's new record, Tears On The Dancefloor, marks 20 years since they formed, and they will also mark the anniversary by going back on the road for a UK tour.
'The name of the game' is collaboration, as new song Story Of A Heart was given to them by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from the Swedish superstar band. Steps' Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer, Ian "H" Watkins and Lee Latchford-Evans announced their comeback in a video on Twitter - and it could mean 'money, money, money' for the stars.
They said: "As you know it's our 20th anniversary year and we've promised loads of fun things.
"So to kick it off we've got a new album... We're also going to be touring up and down the country in November and December."
Tears On The Dancefloor is Steps' first studio album since 2012 and is set to be enjoyed by 'dancing queens' - and kings.
On working with Andersson and Ulvaeus, Scott-Lee told The Sun: "We've always had that comparison with ABBA so it's amazing to work with Benny and Bjorn.
"When we heard the special album track they gave to us we said, 'that's perfect'.
"It's a bridge to where we were and it moves on nicely to where we're taking the new music."
If the song proves to be popular, Steps will no doubt 'thank them for the music'.
The group formed following an advert in The Stage entertainment magazine in 1997.
They split up on Boxing Day 2001 but reunited a decade later.
The band, who had hits including 5,6,7,8 and Tragedy, announced another hiatus in 2013 but confirmed a second reunion earlier this year at London's G-A-Y nightclub.
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child most nominated new play in Olivier history
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child is now the most nominated new play in the history of the Olivier awards.
The lavish production has been nominated in 11 categories including best director, best new play and outstanding achievement in music for the awards in April.
Jamie Parker, who plays Potter in the sequel to JK Rowling's books, is up against Buried Child actor Ed Harris, Travesties star Tom Hollander and six-time winner Sir Ian McKellen, who receives his tenth nomination in the best actor category.
The musical category nominations include Groundhog Day, which opened on Broadway this month and has eight nominations, while Andrew Lloyd-Webber, as a composer, takes three nods for three separate shows, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar and School Of Rock The Musical.
Former Labour MP Glenda Jackson's role in King Lear sees her up for her first Olivier since 1984 in the best actress category, along with Billie Piper, who has been showered with plaudits for her performance in the title role of Yerma, The Glass Menagerie's Cherry Jones and Hedda Gabler's Ruth Wilson.
Written by Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, who has been nominated for best director, The Cursed Child has also been put forward for best set design, best lighting design, best costume and best sound.
Noma Dumezweni, who plays Hermione, has been shortlisted for best actress in a supporting role while the production's choreographer, Steve Hoggett, has also been nominated.
In the best supporting actor category, Anthony Boyle, who plays Scorpius Malfoy, is up against Rafe Spall, who is nominated for his performance as the sinister Judge Brack in Hedda Gabler.
Sir Kenneth Branagh is also to be honoured for his contribution to theatre at this year's awards.
Julian Bird, executive producer of the Olivier Awards, said: "In a year of global change, the nominees for this year's awards demonstrate London theatre's ability to challenge our perceptions, stir our emotions, and entertain us.
The nominations were announced by former winners Denise Gough and Matt Henry and the awards take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 9 April.
The lavish production has been nominated in 11 categories including best director, best new play and outstanding achievement in music for the awards in April.
Jamie Parker, who plays Potter in the sequel to JK Rowling's books, is up against Buried Child actor Ed Harris, Travesties star Tom Hollander and six-time winner Sir Ian McKellen, who receives his tenth nomination in the best actor category.
The musical category nominations include Groundhog Day, which opened on Broadway this month and has eight nominations, while Andrew Lloyd-Webber, as a composer, takes three nods for three separate shows, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar and School Of Rock The Musical.
Former Labour MP Glenda Jackson's role in King Lear sees her up for her first Olivier since 1984 in the best actress category, along with Billie Piper, who has been showered with plaudits for her performance in the title role of Yerma, The Glass Menagerie's Cherry Jones and Hedda Gabler's Ruth Wilson.
Written by Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, who has been nominated for best director, The Cursed Child has also been put forward for best set design, best lighting design, best costume and best sound.
Noma Dumezweni, who plays Hermione, has been shortlisted for best actress in a supporting role while the production's choreographer, Steve Hoggett, has also been nominated.
In the best supporting actor category, Anthony Boyle, who plays Scorpius Malfoy, is up against Rafe Spall, who is nominated for his performance as the sinister Judge Brack in Hedda Gabler.
Sir Kenneth Branagh is also to be honoured for his contribution to theatre at this year's awards.
Julian Bird, executive producer of the Olivier Awards, said: "In a year of global change, the nominees for this year's awards demonstrate London theatre's ability to challenge our perceptions, stir our emotions, and entertain us.
The nominations were announced by former winners Denise Gough and Matt Henry and the awards take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 9 April.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Adele confirms marriage to long-term partner Simon Konecki
Adele has confirmed she is now married to long-term partner Simon Konecki, ending weeks of speculation.
The Hello and Rumour Has It singer made the announcement during a concert in Brisbane, Australia, where she spoke about her relationship with him.
Talking on stage about her hit song Someone Like You, she told fans: "I was trying to remember how it was I felt at the beginning of the relationship that inspired that record.
"Because as bad as a break-up can be and as bitter and horrible and messy as it can be, that feeling when you first fall for someone is the best feeling on earth, and I am addicted to that feeling.
"Obviously, I can't go through with those feelings because I'm married now."
The Hello and Rumour Has It singer made the announcement during a concert in Brisbane, Australia, where she spoke about her relationship with him.
Talking on stage about her hit song Someone Like You, she told fans: "I was trying to remember how it was I felt at the beginning of the relationship that inspired that record.
"Because as bad as a break-up can be and as bitter and horrible and messy as it can be, that feeling when you first fall for someone is the best feeling on earth, and I am addicted to that feeling.
"Obviously, I can't go through with those feelings because I'm married now."
FBI director rejects Trump's wire-tap claims
The FBI Director has refuted suggestions by President Trump that Barack Obama had his wires tapped, according to US media reports.
James Comey has asked the US Justice Department to publicly refute Mr Trump's accusations - a move which questions the President's truthfulness.
His intervention follows comments from James Clapper - the director of national intelligence in the Obama administration - who denied there was an order for surveillance at Trump Tower.
:: Trump's awkward relationship with Barack Obama
In an interview with NBC's Meet The Press, Mr Clapper said that in the national intelligence work he oversaw, there was "no such wiretap activity mounted against the President, the President-elect at the time, as a candidate or against his campaign".
Mr Clapper, who left the White House on 20 January when Mr Trump took office, said he would have known about such an order.
"Absolutely, I can deny it," he said.
The White House has requested that Congress investigate Mr Trump's accusation that his predecessor ordered a wiretap of the phones at Trump Tower - his New York residence and campaign headquarters - the month before the country went to the polls.
Mr Trump has not offered any evidence to support his claims, and Mr Obama has rejected the allegations, with a spokesman describing them as "simply false".
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement on Sunday: "Reports concerning potentially politically motivated investigations immediately ahead of the 2016 election are very troubling."
He said the President had requested "that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016".
It was unclear which reports Mr Spicer was referring to, but he added neither the White House or the President would be commenting further on the matter until the investigation concluded.
House Intelligence chairman and Republican Devin Nunes said in a statement that his committee "will make inquiries into whether the government was conducting surveillance activities on any political party's campaign officials or surrogates".
Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said his panel would also look at the allegations as part of its investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election.
Mr Cotton said: "We're going to follow the facts wherever they lead us and I'm sure that this matter will be a part of that inquiry."
The Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said Mr Trump's claims were "just ridiculous", telling CNN that he was following the playbook of making something up, having the media report it and then saying everybody is writing about it.
She said having people "talking about what you want them to be talking about" was a "tool of an authoritarian".
Mr Trump made the allegations against Mr Obama in a series of tweets on Saturday, amid growing scrutiny of his campaign's ties with Russia.
He wrote: "Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!"
The President added: "Is it legal for a sitting president to be 'wire tapping' a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!"
"I'd bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to election!"
:: Is Russia going to be Trump's Watergate?
A spokesman for Mr Obama has dismissed the claims, insisting it was "a cardinal rule" of his administration that no White House official ever interfered with any independent investigations led by the Department of Justice.
Earlier, Republican senator Ben Sasse called the US President's surveillance claims serious and said the public deserved more information.
The politician said it was possible Mr Trump had been illegally tapped and he should explain what sort of device it was and how he knew about it.
Under US law, a federal court would have to have found probable cause that the target of the surveillance is an "agent of a foreign power" before authorising such an order.
James Comey has asked the US Justice Department to publicly refute Mr Trump's accusations - a move which questions the President's truthfulness.
His intervention follows comments from James Clapper - the director of national intelligence in the Obama administration - who denied there was an order for surveillance at Trump Tower.
:: Trump's awkward relationship with Barack Obama
In an interview with NBC's Meet The Press, Mr Clapper said that in the national intelligence work he oversaw, there was "no such wiretap activity mounted against the President, the President-elect at the time, as a candidate or against his campaign".
Mr Clapper, who left the White House on 20 January when Mr Trump took office, said he would have known about such an order.
"Absolutely, I can deny it," he said.
The White House has requested that Congress investigate Mr Trump's accusation that his predecessor ordered a wiretap of the phones at Trump Tower - his New York residence and campaign headquarters - the month before the country went to the polls.
Mr Trump has not offered any evidence to support his claims, and Mr Obama has rejected the allegations, with a spokesman describing them as "simply false".
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement on Sunday: "Reports concerning potentially politically motivated investigations immediately ahead of the 2016 election are very troubling."
He said the President had requested "that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016".
It was unclear which reports Mr Spicer was referring to, but he added neither the White House or the President would be commenting further on the matter until the investigation concluded.
House Intelligence chairman and Republican Devin Nunes said in a statement that his committee "will make inquiries into whether the government was conducting surveillance activities on any political party's campaign officials or surrogates".
Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said his panel would also look at the allegations as part of its investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election.
Mr Cotton said: "We're going to follow the facts wherever they lead us and I'm sure that this matter will be a part of that inquiry."
The Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said Mr Trump's claims were "just ridiculous", telling CNN that he was following the playbook of making something up, having the media report it and then saying everybody is writing about it.
She said having people "talking about what you want them to be talking about" was a "tool of an authoritarian".
Mr Trump made the allegations against Mr Obama in a series of tweets on Saturday, amid growing scrutiny of his campaign's ties with Russia.
He wrote: "Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!"
The President added: "Is it legal for a sitting president to be 'wire tapping' a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!"
"I'd bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to election!"
:: Is Russia going to be Trump's Watergate?
A spokesman for Mr Obama has dismissed the claims, insisting it was "a cardinal rule" of his administration that no White House official ever interfered with any independent investigations led by the Department of Justice.
Earlier, Republican senator Ben Sasse called the US President's surveillance claims serious and said the public deserved more information.
The politician said it was possible Mr Trump had been illegally tapped and he should explain what sort of device it was and how he knew about it.
Under US law, a federal court would have to have found probable cause that the target of the surveillance is an "agent of a foreign power" before authorising such an order.
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