US Justice Sets Special Counsel Probe Into Russia Investigation
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published December 02, 2020 | 08:50 AM
Washington, Dec 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Dec, 2020 ) :The US Justice Department said Tuesday it had named an independent special counsel to continue probing the 2016-2018 investigations of possible collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump's campaign.
Attorney General Bill Barr appointed Federal prosecutor John Durham to investigate the Russia investigators, which could include the former FBI director James Comey and previous special counsel Robert Mueller.
While Durham has already been examining those matters under Barr, making him a special counsel will allow Durham to continue unimpeded under a new attorney general after Trump steps down on January 20 and Democrat Joe Biden assumes the presidency.
Barr made the appointment on October 19, but apparently held off on announcing it to avoid impacting the looming presidential election, in which Biden defeated Trump.
While Biden is expected to name his own attorney general, Barr's replacement will find it politically difficult to force the end of Durham's special counsel operation.
Barr chose Durham in April 2019 to investigate allegations, made most prominently by Trump, that the Russia investigation was corrupt and a political "witch hunt" by the "deep state" aimed at undermining his administration.
So far Durham has only made one case, against an FBI lawyer who had altered an email in documents filed to obtain wiretap permission against a Trump campaign aide.
Meanwhile the Justice Department's own inspector general, who likewise reviewed the handling of the Russia investigations, found no significant wrongdoing.
But in his October 19 order, Barr said Durham's ongoing probe has "developed into a criminal investigation, which remains ongoing." Durham's focus, according to Barr's order, will remain the FBI's "Crossfire Hurricane" investigation launched in July 2016, and Muller's investigation initiated in May 2017.
Both honed in on Russian hacking and social media manipulation in favor of Trump in 2016, and multiple contacts between the Trump campaign and Moscow.
The Mueller probe expanded that to cover alleged acts of obstruction by Trump. In the end Mueller gained convictions of six members of the Trump campaign, and issued indictments of 25 Russians.
But Mueller found no evidence of criminal cooperation with Russia by the campaign, and his evidence of alleged obstruction by Trump was rejected by Barr.
Barr's order gave Durham wide latitude, however, to "investigate whether any federal official, employee, or any other person or entity violated the law in connection with the intelligence, counter-intelligence, or law-enforcement activities directed at the 2016 presidential campaigns."According to reports Durham has extended his mandate to probe issues related to Hillary Clinton, Trump's Democratic opponent in the 2016 presidential race.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 29 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 29 March 2024
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Shaheed Jalil Andrabi remembered on his martyrdom anniversary
2 days ago -
Architectural grandeur of Mohabat Khan Mosque attracts visitors, archeology lovers
2 days ago -
Besant Hall cultural centre to hold programme in memory Pir Hassam din Rashdi
4 days ago -
USA beats Mexico 2-0 for CONCACAF Nations League title
4 days ago -
World urged to intervene for peace in Kashmir
5 days ago -
Undeterred resolve – only way to end economic woes
5 days ago
-
Organic Food: A booming trend in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
5 days ago -
From Soil to Harvest: Use of modern technology vital for agricultural renaissance
5 days ago -
Spring season offers glimpse into GB's natural beauty, cultural heritage
5 days ago -
Nation to mark decades’ long journey of resilience through annals of history
7 days ago -
23rd March: A historic day reminds Muslims’ heroic struggle for Pakistan
7 days ago -
Measures urged to recharge depleting water table: Experts
7 days ago