OFFICIAL: FBI REVEAL TRUMP IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR LINKS TO RUSSIA
THE director of the FBI yesterday confirmed that it is investigating whether Donald Trump’s team colluded with Russia to win the US election.
James Comey said that agents were now looking into possible “co-ordination” between people working for the President and the Kremlin in the campaign.
And in a sharp rebuke to the President, Mr Comey said he had “no evidence” to support Mr Trump’s claim that his predecessor Barack Obama ordered a wiretap on him.
Michael Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency, said there was no evidence that Britain’s GCHQ intelligence “listening post” had assisted.
The two intelligence chiefs’ dramatic testimony before the House Intelligence Committee drew scorn from Mr Trump.
Before the hearing had begun he fired off a volley of Tweets from his presidential account saying there is “no evidence Potus colluded with Russia – this story is FAKE NEWS and everyone knows it”. Another read: “The real story that Congress, the FBI and all others should be looking into is the leaking of classified information. Must find leaker now!”
US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian hackers interfered in the US election to try to swing the vote for Mr Trump, who has often praised President Vladimir Putin.
Yesterday Mr Comey said he was taking the unusual step of publicly confirming the probe as it was in the public interest.
He said: “I’ve been authorised by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI as part of our counterintelligence mission is investigating the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.
“That includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts.”
Mr Comey said the bureau’s investigation was “open and ongoing” and will include an “assessment of whether any crimes were committed”.
He added: “I can promise you we will follow the facts wherever they lead”.
Quizzed by Democratic committee member Adam Schiff on Mr Trump’s claims that Mr Obama ordered a wiretap on Trump Tower, Mr Comey said no one – including a President – could unilaterally order a wiretap as it had to be done by a judge in a special court.
Mr Schiff asked Mr Comey if the Russian government preferred Mr Trump because of his anti-NATO and populist views.
He said: “Would they (Russia) like to see more Brexits?” Mr Comey replied: “Yes”. The FBI chief also revealed that the bureau had been investigating the Trump campaign’s links to Russia for three months before the presidential election.
Mr Schiff also questioned Mr Rogers over GCHQ and the wiretap claims, allegations that caused a rare diplomatic row between Britain and the US.
Mr Rogers said that would be “expressly against the five eyes agreement” – referring to the deal between the US and four allies on intelligence sharing. He said he agreed with the public statement from GCHQ that the allegation was “ridiculous”.
‘We will follow the facts wherever they lead’
FBI agents are investigating possible “co-ordination” between people working for President Trump and officials at the Kremlin. Some of the claims made against him are clearly absurd. However, the fact that Mr Trump’s national security adviser had to resign because of links to Russia means it is only right that law enforcement officials investigate.
In the vast majority of countries it would be unthinkable for a sitting president to be the subject of such proceedings. It is testament to the rigour of the American constitution and the US’s dedication to the rule of law that the FBI is able to look into President Trump and his associates.
As a string of scandals over the years has shown even the most powerful man in the world cannot keep wrongdoing a secret. The truth about Mr Trump and Russia will out.