Trump orders FBI to declassify documents from ‘Crossfire Hurricane’ Russia investigation
President Trump has taken a bold step by signing an executive order directing the FBI to declassify files related to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. This investigation, launched in 2016, aimed to uncover whether members of the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the presidential race.
After signing the order, Trump expressed his belief that the media would not be interested in reviewing the declassified files, as they may not like what they find. However, he emphasized the importance of transparency and allowing the public to see for themselves the details of what he referred to as a “total weaponization” and a “disgrace.”
The Crossfire Hurricane investigation began in July 2016, following a meeting where then-CIA Director John Brennan briefed then-President Barack Obama on a proposal to tarnish Trump’s reputation by alleging Russian interference. This led to the FBI opening a counterintelligence investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.
One key document that prompted the investigation was the Steele dossier, compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele and funded by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee through Fusion GPS. The dossier contained unverified allegations about Trump’s ties to Russia.
Following the firing of FBI Director James Comey in May 2017, Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to lead the investigation. Meanwhile, the House Intelligence Committee, under the leadership of Devin Nunes and Chief Investigator Kash Patel, uncovered widespread surveillance abuses, including improper monitoring of Trump campaign aide Carter Page.
The Nunes memo, released in February 2018, detailed how the FBI and DOJ obtained FISA warrants based on the Steele dossier, without disclosing its origins or funding. The memo also revealed that the FBI cut ties with Steele for unauthorized disclosures to the media.
Despite the extensive investigations, including Mueller’s probe that found no evidence of collusion, Attorney General Bill Barr appointed John Durham to investigate the origins of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. Durham’s final report in May 2023 concluded that the FBI lacked evidence to justify the probe and failed to adhere to legal standards.
Durham also found that the FBI overlooked intelligence indicating a Clinton-led effort to tie Trump to Russia for political gain. This failure to consider critical information highlights the mishandling of the investigation and raises questions about the integrity of the process.
Overall, Trump’s decision to declassify the Crossfire Hurricane files sheds light on a controversial chapter in American politics. By allowing the public to access this information, transparency and accountability are prioritized, ensuring that the truth is revealed.
