Thread by @JacquiHeinrich

THREAD: reposted for absolute clarity.

FBI indicates it IS investigating POSSIBILITY of foreign interference on Hunter Biden laptop: “nothing to add” to Ratcliffe’s claim that it’s NOT Russian disinfo, adding if actionable intel develops, FBI *may* inform Homeland Security Cmte

Democratic official with knowledge of intelligence committee discussions tells me:

The FBI will not confirm exactly what they are investigating – adding that this may relate to the ongoing investigation around Rudy Giuliani that has been recently reported...

...However, members of the intelligence committee have learned that the FBI is indeed investigating the provenance of the emails and whether it is part of a foreign disinformation operation – which the FBI would investigate whether or not the emails are real...

..The FBI’s handling of John Paul Mac Isaac indicates he is a target of the investigation, rather than a witness. Mac Isaac stated that he met with the FBI once or twice, then the FBI stopped talking to him...

...There is bipartisan skepticism surrounding Ratcliffe’s statement on Sunday, and this democratic source says they believe Ratcliffe was trying to state that the FBI has not confirmed that this is disinformation, as Adam Schiff suggested...

...However, Ratcliffe went too far in trying to provide political cover in support of the President, which is an inappropriate action for a DNI.

Ratcliffe is showing inexperience with intelligence by saying that the lack of intel proves there is no involvement...

...Folks within the FBI who are looking into this matter very much suspect, but do not know for sure, if foreign powers are at play...

...This source adds, members of both parties within the senate intelligence committee are skeptical of the idea that we would know definitively, at this time, the matter is not part of a foreign intel op - because has all the hallmarks of a potential foreign intel op...

... Regarding the FBI’s statement that they have “nothing to add” to Ratcliffe’s statement: They understand this to mean FBI has nothing to add about *available actionable intelligence* at this time, but the investigation is ongoing – not understand it as affirming Ratcliffe.

Finally - per my talks with sources tonight - Big bipartisan takeaway verified by Republican & Dem sides: as of now, investigators have revealed no evidence showing that this is a Russian disinfo campaign – but the investigation is ongoing, and it has not been ruled out. END.