Comey Confirms FBI Investigating Trump Campaign

Associated Press
Updated
Photo credit: Nicholas Kamm / Getty
Photo credit: Nicholas Kamm / Getty

From Cosmopolitan

FBI Director James Comey publicly confirmed for the first time that the FBI is investigating Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, including any potential coordination between Trump campaign associates and Russia's government.

He also said he has "no information" supporting President Donald Trump's claim that President Obama wiretapped his campaign office.

Comey was testifying before the House Intelligence Committee on Monday morning, where he said he was authorized by the Justice Department to make the disclosure. Typically, the FBI does not discuss or even confirm the existence of ongoing investigations.

Comey said:

As you know, our practice is not to confirm the existence of ongoing investigations, especially those investigations that involve classified matters. But in unusual circumstances, where it is in the public interest, it may be appropriate to do so ... This is one of those circumstances. I have been authorized 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. And 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. As with any counterintelligence investigation, this will also include an assessment of whether any crimes were committed. Because it is an open, ongoing investigation, and is classified, I cannot say more.

Comey said the probe is part of the FBI's counter-intelligence mission. He said the investigation includes the nature of any links between individuals associated with Trump's campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between Russia's efforts and the campaign.

The investigation will also look at whether crimes were committed, according to Comey, who said he couldn't provide details about the investigation.

Before Comey testified, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, a Republican from California, said there was no physical wiretap on Trump Tower, but it's possible that "other surveillance activities" were used against Donald Trump and his associates.

Roughly two weeks ago, Trump tweeted that Obama "wire tapped" Trump Tower during the presidential campaign. Obama denied this through a spokesperson; numerous government officials have also said there's no evidence to support this claim.

Comey told Congress on Monday, "I have no information to support those tweets."

National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers, who testified alongside Comey on Monday, added that he's seen no evidence supporting the White House's claim that Obama asked British intelligence to spy on Trump.

Ahead of the hearings, Trump sent a barrage of early-morning tweets Monday, calling reports of the investigation "fake news" and claiming Democrats "made up" the Russian story.

Rogers told Congress that the intelligence community stands behind its January assessment that it is highly confident Russia interfered in the 2016 election with the goal of electing Donald Trump.

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