concerned about Page, but rather it was concerned about the Russians reaching out to Page.[1] Moreover, NYFO Case Agent-1 told the Office that there were no plans to seek FISA coverage on Page.[2] NYFO Case Agent-1 and her FBI supervisor informed the OIG that Page’s role as a foreign policy advisor “did not influence their decision to open a case on Page.”[3] It may, however, have affected the timing of the case opening and increased interest in him. Indeed, Director Comey had earlier in April “requested relevant information pertaining to any Presidential candidate.”[4] In line with that directive, Comey was briefed on the Page investigation, which a week later was described as a “top priority” for the Director.[5] At that time, FBI personnel in Washington prepared a counterintelligence report on Page for the Director.[6] In July, the same personnel described the Page case, “and ones like it” as, “a top priority for Director Comey.”[7] In any event, despite Page’s role as a publicly named foreign policy advisor, the FBI did not open the investigation as a “Sensitive Investigative Matter” or SIM.[8]
A few months later, shortly after the FBI opened the Crossfire Hurricane investigation at FBI Headquarters and the four sub-files, including on Page, the NYFO’s investigation of Page was transferred to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation at FBI Headquarters.[9]
2. Evidence of predisposition to investigate Trump
The record reviewed by the Office demonstrated a rather clear predisposition on the part of at least certain FBI personnel at the center of Crossfire Hurricane to open an
- ↑ OSC Report of Interview of NYFO Case Agent-1 on Sept. 5, 2019 at 2.
- ↑ Id.
- ↑ Redacted OIG Review at 63; see also id. at 62 (noting supervisor’s view that investigation should have been opened earlier).
- ↑ FBI-AAA-21-0000829 (Email from Headquarters Supervisory Special Agent-1 to Auten & others dated 04/01/2016). Comey declined through counsel to be interviewed by the Office. Counsel indicated his client had previously testified in various Congressional hearings and been interviewed by various government entities on all matters relating to Crossfire Hurricane.
- ↑ Id.; FBI-AAA-21-0000798 (Email to Headquarters Supervisory Special Agent-1, Auten & others dated 04/07/2016); FBI-AAA-21-0000828 (Email from Headquarters Supervisory Special Agent-1 to Auten & others dated 07/01/2016).
- ↑ FBI-AAA-21-0000798 (Email to Headquarters Supervisory Special Agent-1, Auten & others dated 04/07/2016).
- ↑ FBI-AAA-21-0000828 (Email from Headquarters Supervisory Special Agent-1 to Auten & others dated 07/01/2016).
- ↑ See OSC Report of Interview of NYFO Case Agent-1 on Sept. 5, 2019 at 3; Redacted OIG Review at 62–63.
- ↑ Redacted OIG Review at 63.
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