FBI ‘source’ in Russia probe recommended as ambassador
A RETIRED Cambridge professor suspected of being an FBI source in the Russia investigation was later recommended for a US ambassadorship in the Trump administration, claims reports.
Prof Stefan Halper, 73, has emerged as a key figure in a battle playing out between Donald Trump and his own justice department.
According to reports, the professor approached the Trump campaign aides in the summer of 2016 in an attempt to glean information about any collusion with Russia for an FBI operation, codenamed Crossfire Hurricane.
The American professor, who is a Life Fellow of Magdalene College, has not commented on the reports. The FBI declined to comment.
Republicans in Congress have been pushing for more details of the investigation and the role of the suspected informant.
Following additional pressure from Mr Trump, the Republican congressional leaders are expected to meet FBI and justice department representatives and the office of the director of national intelligence to “review highly classified information,” Sarah Sanders, the White House spokesman, said.
Last night, it was reported that the professor was recommended as a candidate to be US ambassador to an Asian country by Peter Navarro, Mr Trump’s trade adviser.
The country was not clear, but Mr Navarro and the professor are both China experts. The professor reportedly visited the White House office buildings for a meeting about China last summer.
Last night, Mr Trump suggested the FBI may have had “spies” in his campaign.
He said: “If they had spies in my campaign for political purposes that would be unprecedented in the history of our country.”