In the wake of the recent announcement that Attorney General William Barr has appointed U.S. attorney John Durham, to examine the origins of the Russia investigation and determine if intelligence collection efforts targeting the Trump campaign were “lawful and appropriate,” President Trump has called on Democrats to follow suit and investigate “Crooked Hilary,” if they want to salvage their diminishing reputations.
While he continues to stonewall their subpoenas and other demands for documents, Trump has urged top-ranking Democrats to shift their focus to “Crooked Hillary” and the genesis of the “phony” Russia investigation.
The president even suggested House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff could boost their “credibility” by doing so.
“Why are the Democrats not looking into all of the crimes committed by Crooked Hillary and the phony Russia Investigation? They would get back their credibility. Jerry Nadler, Schiff, would have a whole new future open to them. Perhaps they could even run for President!” Trump tweeted on the morning of May 20.
Investigators Are Already Being Investigated
The president’s tweets come as John Durham has already launched his investigation into the origins of the Russia investigation. Durham is tasked with looking into “all intelligence collection activities” related to the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election and any misconduct during the early stages of the FBI’s original Russia probe.
Durham is expected to focus on the period before Nov. 7, 2016—including the use of FBI informants as well as alleged improper issuance of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants.
Sources familiar with the new probe say Barr has also directed Durham to specifically review the time period between Election Day and Inauguration Day, telling Fox News last week that “some very strange developments” took place during that time. Barr was referring to the early January 2017 briefing intelligence officials gave then-president-elect Trump at Trump Tower and “the leaking of information subsequent to that meeting.”
During that meeting, Trump was briefed by intelligence and law enforcement officials on Russian election meddling—and was also informed by former FBI Director James Comey about the now-infamous anti-Trump dossier which included salacious allegations against him. Details later leaked to the press.
“That’s one of the things…we need to look at,” Barr said last week in an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Bill Hemmer.
A source also told Fox News that Barr is working “collaboratively” on Durham’s investigation with FBI Director Chris Wray, CIA Director Gina Haspel, and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats. Durham is also working with Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, who is currently reviewing allegations of FISA abuses and the role of FBI informants during the early stages of the Russia investigation.
Earlier this month, Nadler’s committee voted to hold Barr in contempt of Congress, after the attorney general failed to turn over the unredacted Mueller report and underlying evidence and materials. Simultaneously, the president asserted executive privilege over the files in a bid to protect them from release.
It is unclear if and when the full House will vote on the contempt measure.
Meanwhile, Schiff said that congressional Democrats could move ahead with impeachment proceedings against Trump.
“If we conclude that there is no other way to do our jobs, then we may get there,” Schiff said on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” broadcast of May 19.
You write. “While he continues to stonewall….” How can you be called “Patriot”. anything when you are obviously biased against the duly elected President of the United States???? The President is not stonewalling anyone, he is standing up to the Democrats stupidity. President Trump has accomplished more than any former president. Besides attacking our President daily, what have the Democrats done lately? I’ll save you any research, the answer is Democrats have done nothing else beside harassing our President.
Sorry if this offends anyone, I’m just tired of all the anti-American bulls??t out there. And the mainstream news is fake news!!! Just like your organization.
David, don’t be sorry if it offends anyone who deserves to be offended. So be it. If the shoe fits and all of that. Eff ‘em.
The whole Democrat leadership should be investigated for their attempt to cover up their own past crooked activities by paying foreign operatives to write novels and then investigate the validity of the novel in attemptin attempt to overthrow a duly elected President of the United States !
Bob Barr is in a target rich environment with Democrat corruption that will generate a lot of indictments and quite possibly four for treason that will be punishable by death !
There are several in the media that are still Democrat party operatives that should be investigated as well for theirmassive two year plus misinformation fake news attempts at overthrowing this president !
Some people seem to have forgotten to read the United States Constitution re; asking for the President’s persona records. Maybe you should try reading it sometime. Its very enlightening!
You’re too coy. Read the constitution.? By all means, ehlighten me. If you are saying the constitution says Presidents must hand over personal records please tell me the paragraph and lines that say that. PLEASE, ehlighten me.
Thank you ahead of time.
Democrats keep saying they are going to impeach President Trump, but they always fail to say what crime he has committed that would warrant such an action. Either they need to put up or Shut Up! I believe Shut Up is their only option.
No, I haven’t read the Constitution lately and I am willing to bet you have not either. But please educate me. Tell me exactly where in our Constitution it says anything about the Presidents personal records. If that is the case I may have to change my opinion. Thank you ahead of time.
It’s amazing that none of the democrats wanted all this info from obama when he was selling our nation
down the drain to the islamic thugs in Iran.