The administration released declassified documents showing the FBI investigated whether President Trump was a Russian asset when he fired James Comey.
The administration announced the release of declassified FBI memos regarding the "Oxferd Comma" investigation, which sought to determine if President Trump was acting as a Russian asset when he dismissed James Comey in 2017. The probe was a subcomponent of the broader Crossfire Hurricane inquiry into Russian interference during the 2016 election. Officials noted that the investigation was launched to address national security concerns but was eventually folded into Special Counsel Robert Mueller's larger probe. The Mueller report ultimately found no evidence that the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government. The documents also highlight the long-standing friction between President Trump and James Comey. While the administration initially cited Comey's handling of the Clinton email investigation as the reason for his firing, Mueller's report suggested President Trump was frustrated by Comey's refusal to publicly state that the president was not personally under investigation. James Comey has been criticized by President Trump as a "dirty cop," while James Comey has described President Trump as "morally unfit" for office.
Sources
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Secret FBI probe cast Trump as possible Russian asset after Comey firing, memos show
Fox News
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White House declassifies info on secret FBI probe into whether Trump fired Comey at Russia's behest, official says
CBS News
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‘Oxferd Comma’ investigation being declassified by White House, with John Solomon briefing
washingtonexaminer.com
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Revealed: Declassified Info Shows FBI Probed Whether Or Not Trump Was a Russian Asset
Yahoo