Justice Dept watchdog finds political bias didn't taint top officials running the FBI’s Russia probe

whatbogsends

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The Justice Department’s internal watchdog is expected to find in a forthcoming report that political bias did not taint top officials running the FBI investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign in 2016, while at the same time criticizing the bureau for systemic failures in its handling of surveillance applications, according to two U.S. officials.

The report due out Dec. 9 from Inspector General Michael Horowitz will allege that a low-level FBI lawyer inappropriately altered a document that was used as part of a controversial application for electronic surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser, the officials said. The inspector general referred that finding to U.S. Attorney John Durham, so that he may investigate it as a possible crime, they said.

But Horowitz will conclude that the application still had a proper legal and factual basis, according to the officials, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive report.

In broad terms, the report refutes accusations of a political conspiracy by senior law enforcement officials against the Trump campaign to favor Democrat Hillary Clinton, while also knocking the bureau for procedural shortcomings, said the officials. On balance, they said, it provides a mixed assessment of the bureau and department’s undertaking of a probe that became highly politicized and divided the nation.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...2f51de-0d48-11ea-97ac-a7ccc8dd1ebc_story.html
 

JohnAshton

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Once again, from the top:

"Horowitz will conclude that the application still had a proper legal and factual basis, according to the officials,"

"In broad terms, the report refutes accusations of a political conspiracy by senior law enforcement officials against the Trump campaign to favor Democrat Hillary Clinton"
 
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cow451

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whatbogsends

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I hope Horowitz knows that this will NOT please the Executive. Guess we'll have to be treated to finding out every bad thing Horowitz has ever done if he doesn't get the "right" findings.

We need to investigate the investigators of the investigators!
 
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JohnAshton

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Of course the report will clear the FBI of anti-Trump taints.

DOJ Watchdog Report Expected to Clear Comey, McCabe, and Strzok of Bias in Trump-Russia Probe: NYT DOJ Watchdog Report Expected to Clear Comey, McCabe, and Strzok of Bias in Trump-Russia Probe: NYT

The Justice Department’s inspector general’s report on the Russia investigation and surveillance of Trump campaign adviser Carter Page will not support claims that top government officials were biased against Trump. According to The New York Times, Inspector General Michael Horowitz is expected to state that he found no evidence of political bias from FBI Director James Comey, ex-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, or former FBI agent Peter Strzok at the beginning stages of the Trump-Russia investigation. Sources said Horowitz’s findings counter the narrative set by Trump and his allies—who sought to discredit the Trump-Russia probe by insinuating bias was at play.

However, Horowitz’s report will reportedly state that FBI officials were “sloppy and unprofessional” in seeking Page’s wiretap order and during the process of renewing it. The inspector general also found that a low-level FBI lawyer, Kevin Clinesmith, had altered an email that officials used in the wiretap renewal process. The lawyer has reportedly been referred to prosecutors for a potential criminal charge. Details of the email may be classified and not released with the report, which is set to come out in early December. Clinesmith, who left the Russia investigation in February 2018, was identified as one of the agency officials who expressed bias towards Trump in emails. Clinesm
ith’s lawyer and a spokesperson for Horowitz has not commented publicly on the matter.
 
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essentialsaltes

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DOJ Chief Barr is above reproach. Right?

Haha, of course not.

Attorney General William P. Barr has told associates he disagrees with the Justice Department’s inspector general on one of the key findings in an upcoming report — that the FBI had enough information in July 2016 to justify launching an investigation into members of the Trump campaign, according to people familiar with the matter.

Barr has not been swayed by Horowitz’s rationale for concluding that the FBI had sufficient basis to open an investigation on July 31, 2016, these people said.

The inspector general operates independently of Justice Department leadership, so Barr cannot order Horowitz to change his findings.

It’s not yet clear how Barr plans to make his objection to Horowitz’s conclusion known. The inspector general report, currently in draft form, is being finalized after input from various witnesses and offices that were scrutinized by the inspector general. Barr or a senior Justice Department official could submit a formal letter as part of that process, which would then be included in the final report.
 
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