The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the origins of the Russia probe, part of which will involve looking into the legitimacy of FISA warrant applications signed off on by then-FBI Director James Comey.
Those applications were based almost entirely on the now-discredited Steele Dossier, a collection of unverified political opposition material that had been paid for in part by the Hillary Clinton campaign.
During an interview at Politicon, Comey showed no signs of concern over the development, telling journalist Nicole Wallace that he is “not worried about a single thing in connection with any of the matters under investigation.”
Democrats bristle
However, Congressional Democrats weren’t quite as laid back about Barr’s scrutiny of the Russia probe’s origins.
“These reports, if true, raise profound new concerns that the Department of Justice under AG Barr has lost its independence and become a vehicle for President Trump’s political revenge,” a tweet from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) read.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) was troubled too, arguing that the Senate Intelligence Committee “is wrapping up a three-year bipartisan investigation, and we’ve found nothing remotely justifying this.”
He also accused Barr of having “jeopardized key international intelligence partnerships” and called on him to appear before Congress.
“Just see how it turns out”
According to Fox News, Barr dismissed the allegations, saying, “That’s completely wrong and there is no basis for it, and I act on behalf of the United States.”
“I do want to say that one of the reasons Mr. Durham is able to make the kind of progress he’s making is because Director Wray and his team at the FBI have just been outstanding in support and responsiveness given to Mr. Durham,” Barr said.
“As you know, I’ve said previously that I felt there was a failure of leadership at the bureau in 2016 and part of 2017, but since Director Wray and his team have taken over there’s been a world of change. I think that he is restoring the steady professionalism that’s been a hallmark of the FBI. I really appreciate his leadership there.”
Regarding the investigation’s outcome, Barr offered no predictions.
“We’ll let the chips fall where they may,” the attorney general said, adding that he would “just see how it turns out.”
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