THREAD: What should we make of the DOJ Inspector General's report on the origin of the Russia investigation?
1/ Today the DOJ Inspector General released a 476-page report detailing the findings of his investigation of the origins of the Russia investigation, the FBI's relationship with Christopher Steele, the Carter Page FISA warrants, and more. Full link below: justice.gov/storage/120919…
2/ Today we've seen a lot of hot takes and headlines trying to sum up the report in a single sentence or two, but it really defies that sort of summary. I encourage you to read at least the 19-page executive summary yourself.
3/ The most important lasting impact of the report is that it debunks many conspiracy theories and unfounded allegations made by Trump and his allies about the Russia investigation.
A key finding by the IG is that there was a sufficient basis to open the investigation.
A key finding by the IG is that there was a sufficient basis to open the investigation.
4/ But the IG noted the bar was low, and he was properly deferential to the judgment call made by the FBI at the time.
He was more definitive in his conclusion about whether the investigation was opened for a proper purpose.
He was more definitive in his conclusion about whether the investigation was opened for a proper purpose.
5/ The IG found that "opening the investigation was in compliance with Department and FBI policies, and we did not find documentary or testimonial evidence that political bias or improper motivation influenced" the decision to open the investigation.
6/ Finding that there was *no* evidence that the investigation was opened for improper reasons is a strong statement.
In addition, while Pete Strzok was involved in opening the investigations, the IG found that they were opened based on a consensus of other unbiased officials.
In addition, while Pete Strzok was involved in opening the investigations, the IG found that they were opened based on a consensus of other unbiased officials.
7/ That said, the IG found serious errors in the investigation. Perhaps the most important were related to the Carter Page FISA warrant applications. The IG found that the application for a FISA warrant contained "significant inaccuracies and omissions."
8/ That's important, because the inaccuracies or omissions could have influenced the judge who signed the warrant. For example, the application didn't mention that Page had been approved as a CIA "operational contact" and provided info to them about prior contacts with Russia.
9/ The application also omitted statements Page made while surreptitiously recorded that he had "literally never met" or "said one word to" Manafort, which matters because the application suggested he was conspiring with Manafort.
10/ To be clear, nearly all human work product contains errors. And it is not the case that *all* information needs to be included a FISA application.
But as the IG pointed out, this was a hand-picked team working on a particularly important and sensitive investigation.
But as the IG pointed out, this was a hand-picked team working on a particularly important and sensitive investigation.
11/ The IG also noted that the FBI's internal policies require their FISA applications to be scrupulously accurate, and they were not in this case.
That matters because we want law enforcement to do things the right way in every case, but especially sensitive matters like this.
That matters because we want law enforcement to do things the right way in every case, but especially sensitive matters like this.
12/ This isn't a political or partisan issue. The IG found that there was no evidence that "political bias or improper motivation influenced the FBI's decision to seek FISA authority on Carter Page."
The issue appears to be inaccurate, sloppy work and poor judgment -- not bias.
The issue appears to be inaccurate, sloppy work and poor judgment -- not bias.
13/ One exception is the case of a low-level attorney who altered an email to make it look like Page wasn't a source for the CIA when that is not what the CIA liaison said. It does not appear that the attorney was directed by others to alter the email.
14/ (That matter is reportedly now the subject of a criminal investigation.)
There are other issues too. Bruce Ohr continued to have informal contact with Steele without telling his superiors, and admitted that he may not have told them because they would have told him to stop.
There are other issues too. Bruce Ohr continued to have informal contact with Steele without telling his superiors, and admitted that he may not have told them because they would have told him to stop.
15/ It is impossible to list all of the issues discussed in the report in a Twitter thread, which is why I encourage you to read the report (or at least the summary) yourself.
While its key impact is to debunk unfounded conspiracy theories, these other issues are important.
While its key impact is to debunk unfounded conspiracy theories, these other issues are important.
16/ Regarding those conspiracy theories, Barr has already released a statement disputing the IG's key finding that the investigation was opened for proper and unbiased reasons.
This political spin has spurred Trump allies to attack the IG report.
This political spin has spurred Trump allies to attack the IG report.
17/ In a more bizarre development, John Durham (appointed by Barr to investigate these matters) issued a statement stating that he disagrees with "some" of the IG's conclusions.
Federal prosecutors aren't supposed to comment about ongoing investigations.
Federal prosecutors aren't supposed to comment about ongoing investigations.
18/ Durham's statement is bizarre and calls into question his judgment. On its face, it creates an appearance of bias and/or political motivation.
It appears that Barr is trying to spin the narrative of the IG report, which debunks many of Trump's conspiracy theories.
It appears that Barr is trying to spin the narrative of the IG report, which debunks many of Trump's conspiracy theories.
19/ Other Trump allies are just lying about the contents of the report.
This tweet is an obvious lie, given that the FISA errors occurred after the investigation was open, and the IG found that political bias didn't factor into opening the investigation.
This tweet is an obvious lie, given that the FISA errors occurred after the investigation was open, and the IG found that political bias didn't factor into opening the investigation.
20/ The IG report does at least two important things. It debunks right-wing conspiracy theories and shines the light on serious errors by the FBI.
Yet Trump's allies ignore the IG report's key conclusions, and the FBI's errors are either ignored or twisted for political ends.
Yet Trump's allies ignore the IG report's key conclusions, and the FBI's errors are either ignored or twisted for political ends.
21/ One exception was the statement of FBI Director Wray, who noted the IG found that the investigations were opened "for an authorized purpose and with adequate factual predication" but also acknowledged the serious problems uncovered by the report. fbi.gov/news/pressrel/…
22/ The IG's report should be an opportunity to review and reexamine our approach to the FISA process and consider reforms. It should also mark the end of unfounded right-wing conspiracy theories stoked by Trump and his allies.
It should be more than just a talking point. /end
It should be more than just a talking point. /end
