It’s the question that has dominated politics for more than two years — what exactly happened with counterintelligence activities conducted during the 2016 election and the Russia probe.
Now, in his first interview since joining the Trump administration, Attorney General Bill Barr detailed how he plans to get to the bottom of the origins of the probe, his thoughts on James Comey, Robert Mueller and other issues related to the special counsel’s investigation.
Barr told Fox News’ Bill Hemmer in the interview Friday that one portion of the review — which he has tapped U.S. Attorney John Durham to lead — would cover the time period between Election Day and Inauguration Day, saying “some very strange developments” took place during that time.
Barr specifically was referring to the early January 2017 briefing intelligence officials gave then-president-elect Trump at Trump Tower, and “the leaking of information subsequent to that meeting.”
VIDEO: Suspected Antifa Surgical Strike Leaves Conservative Streamer’s Wife, Bedroom Soaked in Chemical Irritant
Smithsonian’s American History Museum Engages In ‘Extreme Political Activism,’ New White House Report Concludes
Macron addresses ‘elements of risk’ in Syria’s reintegration after bomb goes off outside his hotel
Trump welcomed with pomp and pageantry by Turkey’s Erdogan at NATO
Nigel Farage to resign, run again for Parliament in ‘people vs. the establishment’ by-election
Manhattan high-rise evacuated as officials warn of potential collapse
Trump taunts Meloni with fresh photo salvo as NATO summit puts allies face-to-face
Trump could hand prized stealth jets to NATO ally once seen as alliance headache
Operation Epic Fury fallout looms over Trump’s private talks with NATO allies and more top headlines
Extremist streamer declares NYC an Islamic republic with popular terror chant: ‘Mamdani’s New York’
Dem senator accused of being ‘nowhere to be found’ on crucial issue impacting kids in swing state
Democrats abandon embattled candidate Graham Platner after rape allegation implodes Senate bid
WATCH: Ex-Warren campaign volunteer spotted praising murderous ex-Iranian leader
Charlie Kirk’s family comes face to face with accused assassin for first time
New Yorker suing ICE after officers went to his home to warn him over criticism of agency
At that meeting, Trump was briefed by intelligence and law enforcement officials on Russian election meddling — and was also informed by former FBI Director James Comey about the now-infamous anti-Trump dossier which included salacious allegations against him. Details later leaked to the press.
Barr also said the country must know “exactly what happened” with counterintelligence activities conducted during the 2016 election — and he is determined to get to the bottom of the case.
In pointed terms, he fired back at Democrats who have castigated him over his handling of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report — calling Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s charge that he lied to Congress “laughable” and dismissing an attempt to hold him in contempt of Congress.
“That’s part of the usual … political circus that’s being played out. It doesn’t surprise me,” he said.
And the nation’s top law enforcement official provided new details about the recently announced probe into the origins of the Russia investigation, defending his decision to pursue it and stressing that many of the answers he’s gotten so far have been “inadequate.”
While the decision to look back at the origins of the investigation has prompted harsh criticism from Democrats who previously have accused him of acting as the president’s lawyer, Barr argued there’s much yet to learn.
VIDEO: Suspected Antifa Surgical Strike Leaves Conservative Streamer’s Wife, Bedroom Soaked in Chemical Irritant
Smithsonian’s American History Museum Engages In ‘Extreme Political Activism,’ New White House Report Concludes
Macron addresses ‘elements of risk’ in Syria’s reintegration after bomb goes off outside his hotel
Trump welcomed with pomp and pageantry by Turkey’s Erdogan at NATO
Nigel Farage to resign, run again for Parliament in ‘people vs. the establishment’ by-election
Manhattan high-rise evacuated as officials warn of potential collapse
Trump taunts Meloni with fresh photo salvo as NATO summit puts allies face-to-face
Trump could hand prized stealth jets to NATO ally once seen as alliance headache
Operation Epic Fury fallout looms over Trump’s private talks with NATO allies and more top headlines
Extremist streamer declares NYC an Islamic republic with popular terror chant: ‘Mamdani’s New York’
Dem senator accused of being ‘nowhere to be found’ on crucial issue impacting kids in swing state
Democrats abandon embattled candidate Graham Platner after rape allegation implodes Senate bid
WATCH: Ex-Warren campaign volunteer spotted praising murderous ex-Iranian leader
Charlie Kirk’s family comes face to face with accused assassin for first time
New Yorker suing ICE after officers went to his home to warn him over criticism of agency
“I think there’s a misconception out there that we know a lot about what happened,” he said.
“The fact of the matter is Bob Mueller did not look at the government’s activities. He was looking at whether or not the Trump campaign had conspired with the Russians. But he was not going back and looking at the counterintelligence program. And we have a number of investigations underway that touch upon it — the main one being the office of inspector general that’s looking at the FISA warrants.”
Story cited here.
