Here are my two big conclusions from the IG’s report, as revealed in the 20-page executive summary. 1/9
First, the report repudiates the claims of a coup and related deep-state conspiracies in the FBI as advanced by President Trump and his supporters. 2/9
The IG found no improper purpose, political bias, or First Amendment concerns with the conduct of any of the investigations or with the FISA applications. 3/9
In particular, the investigations:
* had an authorized purpose and proper predication;
* were not based on political bias or improperly on free speech;
* properly began with less intrusive techniques before graduating to more. 4/9
* had an authorized purpose and proper predication;
* were not based on political bias or improperly on free speech;
* properly began with less intrusive techniques before graduating to more. 4/9
Given the immense seriousness of these claims – the idea that our security services might exert political bias to undermine a political campaign – and the vigor with which they have been promoted, this is the most important take-away from the IG’s report. 5/9
But second, the report finds multiple and significant errors in the conduct of the FBI investigation, and in the FBI’s handling of the FISA applications, as well as areas for improvement in FBI procedures. 6/9
These errors are very serious, although again they don’t support any claim of deep-state conspiracy or political bias. 7/9
Among 17 significant errors, the FISA applications:
Overstated prior corroboration of Steele’s reporting;
Omitted critical assessments of Steele himself and a sub-source;
Omitted some denials of guilt from Page & others. 8/9
Overstated prior corroboration of Steele’s reporting;
Omitted critical assessments of Steele himself and a sub-source;
Omitted some denials of guilt from Page & others. 8/9
These FBI errors weren’t political, the IG concluded, but neither are they acceptable, particularly in an investigation involving a presidential campaign. 9/9
