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:
DOJ IG report "Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane Investigation" – "We did not find any documentary or testimonial evidence that political bias or improper motivation influenced the FBI's decision to conduct these operations."
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) December 9, 2019
IG Report shows conclusively that there was a need for Russia inquiry. All those-including the AG-who questioned the motives of the career people at DOJ and FBI must acknowledge this. Do no more harm to these organizations. You were politically motivated; you’re now proven wrong
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) December 9, 2019
The IG report confirms FBI was justified in opening an investigation that uncovered criminal activity by the President's campaign manager, national security adviser and other aides.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) December 9, 2019
It was never a witch hunt. It was the men and women of federal law enforcement doing their jobs.
Horowitz’s IG Report IDs 17 errors and omissions in the Page FISA Applications and describes “the failures in the performance of the Woods Procedures that could have prevented some, but not all, of the errors and omissions we identified.”
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) December 9, 2019
*See from Page 363 as well as Appendix I
BREAKING: IG report officially released. It reveals FBI "fell far short" in vetting accuracy of FISA applications, knowingly withheld exculpatory information, used 'defensive briefings' to secretly asses the Trump campaign, used known illegitimate sources, and more.
— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) December 9, 2019
Looks like DOJ IG Report is clear that Republican FISA abuse memo from February 2018 was accurate and actually understated the FISA abuse the dirty cops engaged in. Time for FISA court to take action!
— Devin Nunes (@DevinNunes) December 9, 2019
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.
