Newly released documents open a path to the true origins of the Russia hoax

On May 16, 2017, the FBI took one of the most extraordinary steps in its history: It opened a full investigation of the sitting American president. Newly declassified documents released by the White House say the bureau asked whether the president “is or was directed by, controlled by, and/or coordinated activities with” Vladimir Putin’s Russia — and whether he “obstructed and/or conspired to obstruct” the FBI’s own investigation. That the FBI had targeted President Trump was reported in 2019.What was missing was the paperwork — the opening document, the names on it, the chain of command. The May 16 “opening communication” lists FBI General Counsel James Baker and Counterintelligence Division Assistant Director E.W.

“Bill” Priestap as the approving officials.The investigation was opened at Priestap’s direction, in consultation with Baker’s Office of General Counsel; and Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe personally notified Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. The next day — May 17 — Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller special counsel, and the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax took flight. James Comey figures in the hoax, too.He went from fired FBI director to a central witness.The FBI used Comey’s account of his talks with Trump — and Trump’s firing of Comey — to support the obstruction theory. Another critical layer has now been exposed.

The FBI says its predicate for the probe rested on “predetermined criteria established by the Crossfire Hurricane investigative team” based on an assessment of supposedly “reliable lead information.” Who built that predicate?Peter Strzok, a central figure in Crossfire Hurricane, and FBI lawyer Lisa Page were close to the investigation.When Page asked whether Trump would become president, Strzok replied: “No.No he won’t.

We’ll stop it.”Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz later said that message was not merely indicative of a biased state of mind...