John Durham and Adam Schiff clash over Trump Tower meeting in 2016.

Rep. Adam Schiff Challenges Special Counsel John Durham

During a Wednesday congressional hearing, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) engaged in a heated exchange with special counsel John Durham. Durham had recently issued a report criticizing the FBI’s handling of the 2016 investigation into then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Durham defended his report’s conclusion that the FBI should not have launched the investigation into Trump. As he presented his findings, Schiff focused on a June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower involving Trump’s son, son-in-law, campaign manager, and a Russian lawyer.

Leading up to the meeting, Trump Jr. received emails from a publicist claiming to have incriminating information about Hillary Clinton. Schiff questioned Durham about Trump Jr.’s awareness of these emails.

“People get phone calls all the time from individuals who claim to have information like that,” Durham replied.

Schiff pressed further, emphasizing the significance of a foreign government offering dirt on a presidential candidate. Durham responded, “I don’t think this is unique in your experience.”

It’s worth noting that Schiff had previously fallen victim to a prank call from Russian pranksters posing as Ukrainian officials. The incident was confirmed by Schiff’s office, who stated that they had reported it to law enforcement.

Trump Tower Meeting

As the discussion continued, Durham highlighted that although incriminating information was offered prior to the Trump Tower meeting, it never materialized during the actual meeting.

Trump Jr. had released his email exchange with the publicist in 2017, revealing that the Russian lawyer denied having connections to the Russian government. Trump Jr. stated that the meeting primarily focused on adoption laws and the Magnitsky Act, rather than providing information about Clinton.