8 questions remain unanswered before the Durham hearing.

House Judiciary Committee to Grill John Durham on Misconduct Uncovered in Russia Investigation

Members of the House Judiciary Committee are preparing to question former special counsel John Durham this week regarding the misconduct he uncovered during his extensive inquiry into the start of the Russia investigation. Durham’s recently released 300-page report shed light on allegations of bias against former President Donald Trump and unequal treatment in comparison to his 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton.

The report revealed that the FBI had no evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, yet the Department of Justice continued to pursue invasive surveillance measures. However, the report left many unanswered questions, and House Republicans are eager to obtain further answers during the upcoming hearing.

Remaining Figures from Crossfire Hurricane at the Justice Department

Several top officials from the Justice Department and FBI who were involved in the opening of Crossfire Hurricane, the internal name for the Russia investigation, have either been fired or resigned since 2016. However, there are individuals who still appear to be employed at the DOJ, raising concerns about whether all those responsible for misconduct have been held accountable.

One example is Dina Corsi, the former deputy assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI, who instructed FBI analysts in 2017 not to document their findings about the lack of evidence supporting the allegations of Russian collusion. Corsi’s continued employment at the FBI at the time of the report’s release raises questions about the involvement of individuals from the flawed Russia investigation in the current classified document matter involving Trump.

Lack of Cooperation from Key Witnesses

Despite conducting over 480 witness interviews, Durham faced resistance from key players involved in the investigation. Former FBI Director James Comey, Glenn Simpson of Fusion GPS, former Deputy Director of the FBI Andrew McCabe, and former FBI agent Peter Strzok all declined to cooperate with Durham’s team. This raises questions about why these individuals refused to speak with investigators and whether their non-cooperation hindered the investigation.

Lengthy Investigation and Timing

Durham’s investigation took approximately four years to complete, leading to criticism about the timing of its release. Some argue that if the investigation had concluded earlier, it could have had an impact on the 2020 or 2022 elections. Lawmakers are likely to question why the investigation took so long and whether it could have been expedited.

Failure to Investigate the Clinton Campaign Plot

The Durham report revealed evidence that the FBI obtained during the 2016 election, suggesting that the Clinton campaign had developed a plan to frame Trump for colluding with Russia. Despite the seriousness of these allegations, the FBI never opened an inquiry or conducted any investigation into the matter. Lawmakers will seek answers as to why the allegations of a Clinton campaign plot were not thoroughly investigated.

Criticism of Durham’s Conviction Record

Some Democrats and commentators have dismissed Durham’s findings due to his limited success in securing convictions. While former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty to a criminal charge, two other attempts to prosecute individuals involved in the misconduct were unsuccessful. Durham may have the opportunity to defend his conviction record and explain the challenges faced in obtaining convictions for those accused.

Confidence in FBI Director Chris Wray

FBI Director Christopher Wray, who presided over the bureau during the investigation, may face scrutiny from House Judiciary Republicans. They have criticized Wray for not addressing the company culture that led to unethical behavior. Durham’s perspective on whether Wray can effectively lead the FBI and address the issues raised during the investigation will be of interest.

Investigation of Foreign Campaign Contributions to the Clinton Campaign

The Durham report also revealed an unreported allegation of an illegal campaign contribution to the Clinton campaign from a foreign national. The FBI chose to end the investigation after a confidential source made an improper and possibly illegal financial contribution on behalf of a foreign entity. The lack of documentation and investigation into this matter raises concerns about a two-tiered system of government within the Justice Department.

The upcoming hearing will provide an opportunity for House Judiciary Republicans to delve deeper into these important questions and seek further clarity on the misconduct uncovered during the Russia investigation.

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