The White House released a trove of documents showing that the FBI opened a 2017 investigation into whether President Donald Trump was acting on behalf of or under the influence of Russia when he fired FBI Director James Comey.The investigation, codenamed "Oxferd Comma," opened after Trump fired Comey in May 2017, according to the White House’s release.It is unclear why "Oxford" was seemingly misspelled, though there has been speculation that the misspelling may have been intended to make the investigation more difficult to uncover through Freedom of Information Act requests.Investigators sought to determine whether Trump was "directed by, controlled by, and/or coordinated activities with, the Russian Federation in a manner constituting a threat to the national security of the United States and/or a violation of federal criminal statutes," according to an FBI memo dated May 16, 2017.
The memo also said investigators would examine whether Trump or others had obstructed or conspired to obstruct an associated FBI investigation.TRUMP ALLY DIGENOVA TAPPED TO LEAD DOJ PROBE INTO BRENNAN OVER RUSSIA PROBE ORIGINSUS President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David in Maryland, on July 31, 2026.(Photo by Aaron Schwartz / AFP via Getty Images) (Aaron Schwartz / AFP Getty Images)The opening memo cited information developed during Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into whether individuals associated with Trump’s 2016 campaign were coordinating with the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 election.READ THE DOCUMENTS:It also identified later events and information, including Trump’s interactions with Comey, the administration’s shifting explanations for Comey’s firing, Trump campaign discussions concerning the Republican platform’s language on Ukraine aid and Trump’s business ties and real estate interests involving Russia.SECRET FBI PROBE CAST TRUMP AS POSSIBLE RUSSIAN ASSET AFTER COMEY FIRING, MEMOS SH...