Criminal probe into Mueller’s inquiry underway
WASHINGTON: The US justice department has opened a criminal investigation into whether American President Donald Trump or his 2016 presidential campaign was illegally spied upon, according to a person familiar with the matter, escalating the controversy surrounding an inquiry that has remained largely secret for months.
John Durham, the federal prosecutor leading the effort, now has the authority to convene a grand jury and issue subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify or turn over documents.
Trump and his allies have long contended that the investigation into Russian interference in the election, which led to the inquiry headed by special counsel Robert Mueller, originated with false accusations and was politically motivated.
The expansion of the Durham inquiry, which was first reported by The New York Times, comes as an impeachment investigation in the US House has become a growing threat to the Trump presidency. Even before Durham received his new powers, Democrats and others had expressed concerns that Trump wanted to weaponise the justice department to further his political aims.
Until now, Durham, who heads the US attorney’s office in Connecticut, has been doing a review into US counter-intelligence activities conducted by the CIA and FBI before and after the 2016 election, especially related to Trump’s campaign and the early days of his presidency.
US attorney general William Barr told the Senate judiciary committee in May he was concerned there may have been improper spying.