A new blow to the FBI: Explosive watchdog report details dysfunction, missteps in wiretap of Trump aide
Kevin Johnson and Kristine PhillipsFBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Homeland Security Committee on global terrorism and threats to the homeland on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Oct. 30, 2019.WASHINGTON – Since his confirmation more than two years ago, FBI Director Christopher Wray has adopted a simple axiom for the embattled bureau.
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz's report examines the FBI's Russia probe and its surveillance of former Donald Trump campaign aide Carter Page."We did not find documentary or testimonial evidence that political bias or improper motivation influenced decision to open Crossfire Hurricane," the report found, noting the code-name for the early Russia inquiry.
"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," Barr said.The attorney general's words carried a decidedly ominous tone Monday.
In its wiretap applications, the FBI failed to note Page's denial that he had been involved in revising a part of the Republican Party platform to be more favorable to Russia. The FBI didn't include Page's denials that he had talked to allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin about lifting sanctions against Russia and giving the Trump campaign damaging information about Clinton.
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