Former Special Counsel John Durham stated in his testimony on Wednesday, June 21 that the FBI lacked substantive basis to launch the 2016 probe into alleged Russian collusion with Trump’s campaign. Durham asserted, “the FBI was too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research like the Steele Dossier.” This dossier, widely seen as a political document bankrolled by the Clinton campaign, was the foundation of the FBI’s probe.
Durham further testified that the FBI exploited the dossier in Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant applications, well-aware that its origins were likely from the Clinton campaign. He remarked, “The FBI relied on the dossier in FISA warrant applications knowing that it likely originated from the Clinton campaign. It did so even after…briefings about intelligence suggesting that there was a Clinton campaign plan underway to stir up a scandal tying Trump to Russia.”
Durham’s testimony largely paralleled the findings in his 300-page report released earlier this year. His investigation found, “troubling violations of law and policy in the conduct of highly consequential investigations directed at members of a presidential campaign and, ultimately, a presidential administration.”
The former Special Counsel indicated that the FBI officials regularly misused the FISA system to illicitly enhance their authority. He noted, “Multiple FBI personnel who signed or assisted in preparing renewal applications…acknowledged that they did not believe that the target was a threat to national security.”
Democratic lawmakers have criticized Durham’s investigation for not revealing any substantial new information. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) commented, “After four years, thousands of employee hours, and more than $6.5 million in taxpayer funds, Special Counsel Durham failed to uncover any wrongdoing.”
Republicans also voiced frustration with the lack of substantial conclusions or prosecutions in Durham’s findings. However, Durham argued that the pattern of mistakes within the FBI could lead to national security risks.
Durham warned, “Many of the most significant issues documented in the report…are relevant to important national security interests. If repeated or left unaddressed, these issues could result in significant national security risks and further erode public faith in our justice system.”
