John Durham Objects to Horowitz Findings Showing No FBI Bias in Trump-Russa Investigation

Michael Horowitz’ IG Report into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe was released this afternoon. The report shows that there were multiple errors and omissions in three surveillance applications that according to USA Today “effectively inflating the justification for monitoring former foreign policy adviser Carter Page”. However, the report states no “documentary or testimonial evidence that political bias or improper motivation influenced the FBI’s decision to conduct these operations.”

Horowitz did single out a Justice Department official for a criminal investigation, it also issued a recommendation for new guidelines to be established for investigations into presidential campaigns.

AG Barr issued a statement “The Inspector General’s report now makes clear that the FBI launched an intrusive investigation of a U.S. presidential campaign on the thinnest of suspicions that, in my view, were insufficient to justify the steps taken.” “In the rush to obtain and maintain FISA surveillance of Trump campaign associates, FBI officials misled the FISA court, omitted critical exculpatory facts from their filings, and suppressed or ignored information negating the reliability of their principal source. The Inspector General found the explanations given for these actions unsatisfactory.”

John Durham issued a statement on the IG report today as well stating “Based on the evidence collected to date, and while our investigation is ongoing, last month we advised the Inspector General that we do not agree with some of the report’s conclusions as to predication and how the FBI case was opened. I have the utmost respect for the mission of the Office of Inspector General and the comprehensive work that went into the report prepared by Mr. Horowitz and his staff. However, our investigation is not limited to developing information from within component parts of the Justice Department. Our investigation from within component parts of the Justice Department. Our investigation has included developing information from other persons and entities, both in the U.S. and outside of the U.S.”

This critique of the IG Report seems to hint that there is much more information that was not included in the scope of the IG investigation. Durham is still in the process of his investigation into the whole matter.
Both Sides have taken to twitter to put their spin on the IG report.

SEE TWEETS BELOW:

Horowitz will testify Wednesday to the House Judiciary Committee. This testimony will give an opportunity for both sides of the argument to ask questions to clarify the information presented in the IG Report.

Ian MacDonald

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