By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Attorney General William Barr has assigned a U.S. prosecutor to examine what prompted the Russia probe and whether federal authorities overstepped their authority in investigating the Trump campaign, the AP and New York Times report.
The appointment of John Durham, a Republican and U.S. attorney in Connecticut, comes a month after Barr told members of Congress that he believed “spying did occur” on the Trump campaign.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has defended the bureau’s involvement, saying he was unaware of anyone overstepping their authority to investigate the Trump campaign in 2016.
Trump has long claimed the investigation was a “witch hunt” by “angry Democrats.”
A person familiar with the appointment told the AP that Barr wants to determine whether the investigation into Trump’s campaign was “lawful and appropriate.”
The Justice Department’s inspector general is conducting a similar investigation, which is expected to be completed in May or June.
Durham’s long career includes investigating national security officials and whether they act appropriately during their inquiries.
