White House Declassifies Secret FBI Probe on Comey Firing
Wertynews.com – The White House released previously classified documents on Wednesday that shed new light on an FBI investigation into whether President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey at the behest of Russia. According to a senior administration official, the declassified records reveal that investigators briefly considered the theory that Trump was acting as an agent for Moscow when he dismissed Comey in May 2017, but ultimately found little evidence to support this claim.
The investigation, known internally as Oxferd Comma, operated as a specialized component within the broader Crossfire Hurricane probe. Crossfire Hurricane was launched in July 2016 to examine potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election. While Crossfire Hurricane has been a constant source of frustration for Mr. Trump throughout his presidency, Oxferd Comma focused specifically on the circumstances surrounding Comey’s dismissal.
Inside the Oxferd Comma Investigation
The official explained that Oxferd Comma received a sensitive classification level, which is typically used to restrict access to the file and prevent other agents from reviewing its contents. Investigators who opened the case believed this approach was the least intrusive method for handling what they considered a significant national security matter. The theory that Trump might have been acting on Russia’s behalf was one of several possibilities examined during the inquiry.
As the investigation progressed, Oxferd Comma was eventually folded into Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s comprehensive examination of Mr. Trump’s potential ties to Russia. When Mueller’s investigation concluded in March 2019, officials determined that the theory lacked credibility. The declassified documents show that by the time Mueller was appointed, most of the FBI’s evidence had already debunked or ruled out the possibility that Trump or his campaign was colluding with Russia.
“I was unaware that the predicate for the obstruction included a claim that Donald Trump was somehow acting on behalf of Vladimir Putin,” the official stated. “The short of it is, almost everything in the FBI’s possession at that point had debunked or ruled out that Trump or his campaign was colluding with Russia at that time.”
Understanding the Comey Dismissal
Mr. Trump terminated Comey’s employment in May 2017, just months after taking office. The White House initially cited Comey’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation as the primary reason for the firing. However, Mueller’s final report revealed that Mr. Trump had become increasingly irritated that Comey refused to publicly confirm that the president himself was not under personal investigation regarding potential Russian connections.
Comey’s removal set in motion a wider examination of Mr. Trump’s presidency. Following the dismissal, then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller as special counsel to investigate allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election and any possible links to the Trump campaign. Mueller concluded that there was insufficient proof that Trump campaign members “conspired or coordinated” with Russia, though he documented certain interactions between campaign figures and individuals connected to the Russian government.
Continued Tensions and Legal Battles
Mr. Trump has consistently accused the FBI and other intelligence organizations of conducting unfair investigations into his campaigns and presidency. He has promised to launch his own inquiries and has long criticized Comey, referring to him as a “dirty cop.” Comey has responded in kind, calling Mr. Trump “morally unfit” for the presidency.
Earlier this year, Comey faced criminal charges for allegedly threatening Mr. Trump’s life through photographs of seashells arranged to form the numbers “86 47.” Comey maintains that he is being prosecuted selectively and vindictively, a position the Justice Department has firmly rejected. Additionally, last year he received separate charges for making false statements to Congress, though those charges were eventually dismissed.
What the Declassification Means
The release of these documents provides transparency into a lesser-known aspect of the Russia investigation. While much attention has focused on Mueller’s work, Oxferd Comma represents an important chapter in understanding how the FBI evaluated potential Russian influence on the Trump administration from its earliest days. The declassification also comes as Mr. Trump continues to challenge the legitimacy of various investigations into his presidency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oxferd Comma?
Oxferd Comma is the internal name for an FBI investigation that examined whether President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey at Russia’s behest. It was a subset of the larger Crossfire Hurricane probe.
When was the White House information declassified?
The White House declassified the information on Wednesday, according to a senior administration official who confirmed the release of the previously classified documents.
Did the investigation find evidence of collusion?
No. The investigation found that almost everything in the FBI’s possession at that point had debunked or ruled out that Trump or his campaign was colluding with Russia at that time.
What happened to Comey’s charges?
Comey faced charges for allegedly threatening Mr. Trump’s life through seashell photographs, and received separate charges for making false statements to Congress, though those latter charges were eventually dismissed.
