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Thread: Timeline of events potentially relevant to understanding what happened to the counterintelligence investigation
Here goes:
July 31, 2016: FBI opens “Crossfire Hurricane” counterintelligence investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Election.
Here goes:
July 31, 2016: FBI opens “Crossfire Hurricane” counterintelligence investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Election.
January 5, 2017: US Intel Heads brief Obama on status of counterintel investigation into Russian interference. Obama asks that they consider what info related to Russia can be shared with incoming Trump Admin. Unknown whether referring to Transition or after Trump takes office.
January 6, 2017: US Intel Heads brief Trump on counterintel investigation into Russian interference in the Election.
Comey meets separately with Trump to tell him about Steele Dossier. In that meeting, Comey tells Trump he is not under investigation.
Comey meets separately with Trump to tell him about Steele Dossier. In that meeting, Comey tells Trump he is not under investigation.
January 20, 2017: Trump takes office.
January 27, 2017: Trump invites Comey to dinner and demands Comey pledge loyalty to him. Comey does not pledge loyalty but does tell Trump for the second time that he is not under investigation.
January 27, 2017: Trump invites Comey to dinner and demands Comey pledge loyalty to him. Comey does not pledge loyalty but does tell Trump for the second time that he is not under investigation.
February 17, 2017: Comey briefs the Senate Intelligence Committee on the Russia investigation.
March 2, 2017: AG Jeff Sessions recuses from the FBI counterintelligence investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Election.
March 2, 2017: AG Jeff Sessions recuses from the FBI counterintelligence investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Election.
March 9, 2017: Comey briefs Gang of 8 (McConnell, Burr, Ryan, Nunes, Schumer, Warner, Pelosi, Schiff) on the FBI counterintelligence investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Election, telling them four members of the Trump campaign currently are under investigation.
March 15, 2017: Comey briefs Senate Judiciary Committee, likely regarding the Russia investigation.
March 16, 2017: Senate Intel Committee Chairman Burr briefs White House Counsel McGahn—perhaps inappropriately—on FBI’s counterintel investigation into Russian interference.
March 16, 2017: Senate Intel Committee Chairman Burr briefs White House Counsel McGahn—perhaps inappropriately—on FBI’s counterintel investigation into Russian interference.
March 20, 2017: Comey briefs House Intel in open hearings and confirms the FBI is conducting a counterintelligence investigation into possible links between Trump campaign and Russian interference in the Election.
This testimony would form the basis of Mueller’s scope of work.
This testimony would form the basis of Mueller’s scope of work.
March 30, 2017: Trump calls Comey and asks Comey to make clear to Congress that Trump himself is not under FBI investigation. Comey confirms for the third time that Trump is not under investigation, but says he will not say that publicly.
April 6, 2017: House Intel Chairman Nunes recuses from Russia investigation. He would not honor this recusal.
April 10, 2017: Senator Rubio is told in testimony by a
former FBI counterintel officer that the Russians targeted his campaign during 2016 Republican primaries.
April 10, 2017: Senator Rubio is told in testimony by a
former FBI counterintel officer that the Russians targeted his campaign during 2016 Republican primaries.
April 24, 2017: Rosenstein appointed AG.
May 3, 2017: Comey testifies to Congress and refuses to say one way or the other whether Trump is a suspect in FBI investigations.
May 4, 2017: Rod Rosenstein meets with Comey and Comey warns him about Trump testing his loyalty.
May 3, 2017: Comey testifies to Congress and refuses to say one way or the other whether Trump is a suspect in FBI investigations.
May 4, 2017: Rod Rosenstein meets with Comey and Comey warns him about Trump testing his loyalty.
Now things get hot as Trump moves to fire Comey for refusing to clear him as a suspect:
May 5-7, 2017: Trump and Stephen Miller draft a letter over the weekend attempting to justify firing Comey.
May 5-7, 2017: Trump and Stephen Miller draft a letter over the weekend attempting to justify firing Comey.
May 8, 2017: Trump tells AG Sessions and Rosenstein he intends to fire Comey as FBI Director and shows them draft letter justifying the firing. The group concludes Trump should not use that letter and Trump asks Rosenstein to draft a memo that supports Comey’s firing.
May 9, 2017: Rosenstein provides Trump with memo justifying Comey’s dismissal due to his handling of Hillary Clinton email investigation.
May 9, 2017: Trump fires FBI Director James Comey.
May 9, 2017: McCabe becomes Acting FBI Director.
May 9, 2017: Trump fires FBI Director James Comey.
May 9, 2017: McCabe becomes Acting FBI Director.
May 9, 2017: US Intel ceases briefing the House Intelligence Committee on FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Election, likely due to Nunes refusing to recuse.
May 9, 2017: McCabe summoned to White House and told Comey has been fired.
May 9, 2017: McCabe summoned to White House and told Comey has been fired.
May 9, 2017: The White House asks Rosenstein to address the press, saying it was his idea to fire Comey. Rosenstein refuses and threatens to resign.
May 10, 2017: Rosenstein contacts Mueller about the possibility of serving as Special Counsel.
May 10, 2017: Rosenstein contacts Mueller about the possibility of serving as Special Counsel.
May 10, 2017: McCabe meets with Crossfire Hurricane team (Baker, Priestap, Page, Strzok), fearing he will be fired soon, and asks them to come up with the best way to put the investigation on solid ground so it cannot be shut down and to preserve (and collect?) key evidence.
May 10, 2017: Strzok texts Page and says they need to open a case on Trump immediately.
May 10, 2017: While the Russia team is in McCabe’s office, Trump calls him to complain about Comey flying home on the FBI plane after being fired.
May 10, 2017: While the Russia team is in McCabe’s office, Trump calls him to complain about Comey flying home on the FBI plane after being fired.
May 10, 2017: Trump tells Russian Ambassador firing Comey relieved pressure on him in form of Russia investigation.
May 10, 2017: McCabe meets with Trump. Trump asks McCabe who he voted for and about his wife’s political life. McCabe believes he was being probed for loyalty.
May 10, 2017: McCabe meets with Trump. Trump asks McCabe who he voted for and about his wife’s political life. McCabe believes he was being probed for loyalty.
May 10, 2017: Senate Intel Committee Chairman Burr expresses concern over Comey’s firing and asks Comey to come before the Committee for a closed-door hearing. Burr says he opposes the appointment of a special counsel because he says Senate Intel is overseeing the investigation.
May 11, 2017: Rosenstein briefs Burr and Warner (Senate Intelligence Committee) regarding the FBI counterintelligence investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Election and Warner requests the appointment of a Special Counsel.
May 12, 2017: McCabe and Rosenstein meet. McCabe asks Rosenstein to help coordinate requests for interviews with witnesses in Russia investigation in light of Congressional investigations, but Rosenstein ignores him.
In May 12 meeting, Rosenstein tells McCabe he feels he is being set up as architect of Comey’s firing and tells him he has no one he can trust. Rosenstein asks McCabe if he should appoint a special counsel and says he wants to talk to Comey, of all people.
May 12, 2017: McCabe meets with Page and they conclude Rosenstein is ready to crack and cannot be trusted to protect even a Special Counsel investigation, because Rosenstein would control that investigation and was at least a witness if not participant in obstructing justice.
May 12, 2017: McCabe and Rosenstein meet again at 4:00 pm. McCabe demands Rosenstein appoint a special counsel. Rosenstein tells McCabe he’s afraid he will be fired, and that he had known from conversations with AG Sessions since January that Comey would be fired.
May 12, 2017: Trump confess to Lester Holt that Rosenstein’s memo supporting Comey’s firing was a pretext and Comey was fired was because of the Russia investigation.
May 14, 2017: McCabe tells Rosenstein it’s not appropriate to ask Comey about appointing a Special Counsel.
May 14, 2017: McCabe tells Rosenstein it’s not appropriate to ask Comey about appointing a Special Counsel.
May 15, 2017: McCabe, Baker, Priestap, Page, Strzok meet to discuss whether to expand Russia investigation to include Trump as a target. All agree Rosenstein was complicit in Comey’s firing and cannot be trusted. Group unanimously agrees to open formal investigation into Trump.
May 16, 2017: McCabe meets with FBI General Counsel Baker to discuss Rosenstein’s offer to wear a wire. Baker says it would not be appropriate.
May 16, 2017: McCabe and Page meet with Rosenstein’s group from DOJ. Rosenstein appears frantic.
Rosenstein again offers to wear a wire on Trump to determine Trump’s motivation for firing Comey and gives McCabe original firing letter written by Trump and Miller.
Rosenstein again offers to wear a wire on Trump to determine Trump’s motivation for firing Comey and gives McCabe original firing letter written by Trump and Miller.
May 17, 2017: Rosenstein appoints Mueller Special Counsel to conduct criminal investigation into matters outlined by Comey in March 20, 2017 testimony, plus obstruction. Unclear whether Rosenstein understood case against Trump fell outside this scope since it was opened in May.
May 17, 2017: McCabe and Rosenstein brief the Gang of 8 (McConnell, Burr, Ryan, Nunes, Schumer, Warner, Pelosi, Schiff), telling them about the appointment of the Special Counsel and the expansion of the FBI counterintelligence investigation to include Trump as a target.
May 18, 2017: Mueller and deputies meet with McCabe and FBI Russia team. Rosenstein is not invited.
May 21, 2017: Mueller meets with McCabe and Rosenstein. Rosenstein tells McCabe to recuse and McCabe counters that Rosenstein should recuse. Mueller refuses to get involved.
May 21, 2017: Mueller meets with McCabe and Rosenstein. Rosenstein tells McCabe to recuse and McCabe counters that Rosenstein should recuse. Mueller refuses to get involved.
June 14, 2017: WaPo reports that Mueller’s investigation includes an obstruction investigation against Trump.
July 19, 2017: Trump tells New York Times that if Mueller investigates his financial dealings with Russia, Mueller will be crossing a red line.
July 19, 2017: Trump tells New York Times that if Mueller investigates his financial dealings with Russia, Mueller will be crossing a red line.
July 19, 2017: Strzok removed from Mueller’s team after revelations of his text messages with Page.
July 19, 2017: Deutsche Bank confirms it is in contact with Mueller’s team and expects Mueller will soon ask for Trump’s financial records.
July 19, 2017: Deutsche Bank confirms it is in contact with Mueller’s team and expects Mueller will soon ask for Trump’s financial records.
July 20, 2017: Bloomberg reports that Mueller subpoenaed Deutsche Bank for records related to Trump’s business dealings, including Trump SoHo, the suspcious sale of a Florida property for twice its value, and the 2013 Miss Universe pageant.
August 1, 2017: Wray confirmed as FBI Director.
August 1, 2017: McCabe reverts back to Deputy FBI Director.
August 1, 2017: McCabe reverts back to Deputy FBI Director.
August 2, 2017: Rosenstein writes memo to Special Counsel Mueller to “provide a more specific description of [Mueller’s] authority,” including confirmation that Mueller’s scope included Manafort, Papadopoulos, and Page, and expanding the list to include Michael Flynn.
October 20, 2017: Rosenstein sends second scope memo to Mueller, expanding Mueller’s scope to include an investigation of Cohen, Gates, Stone, and two redacted names, one of which appears to be Donald Trump, Jr.
November 2017: Deutsche Bank subpoenaed for financial records. Early reports suggest subpoena issued by Mueller for Trump’s records, but later reports suggest it was for Manafort’s records, which would make sense if the FBI already had Trump’s records (see July 20, 2017).
December 20, 2017: Wray removes James Baker as FBI General Counsel and reassigns him within FBI.
January 10, 2018: Wray and Rosenstein meet with Burr and Warner. The topic of the meeting is unknown.
January 29, 2018: AG Jeff Sessions fires Andy McCabe.
January 10, 2018: Wray and Rosenstein meet with Burr and Warner. The topic of the meeting is unknown.
January 29, 2018: AG Jeff Sessions fires Andy McCabe.
February 13, 2018: DNI Coats testifies to Senate Intel that Russia is interfering in 2018 midterm elections. Wray testifies that the FBI is taking actions to counter Russian interference. When asked if Trump is directing those measures, Wray says no, but does not explain.
April 9, 2018: Michael Cohen’s home and office are raided by the FBI and SDNY prosecutors.
April 12, 2018: Trump calls Rosenstein for a meeting amid rumors Trump is preparing to fire Rosenstein.
May 24, 2018: Wray, Rosenstein, and Coats brief the Gang of 8.
April 12, 2018: Trump calls Rosenstein for a meeting amid rumors Trump is preparing to fire Rosenstein.
May 24, 2018: Wray, Rosenstein, and Coats brief the Gang of 8.
June 8, 2018: Barr sends memo to Rosenstein saying nothing Trump does can be obstruction because he controls executive branch. Barr believes POTUS has complete control over executive and can close investigations into himself and his minions (which would include Rosenstein).
July 12, 2018: Warner and Rubio write op-ed for USA Today regarding Russian election interference.
July 16, 2018: DNI Dan Coats releases statement confirming that Russia interfered in the 2016 Election.
July 16, 2018: DNI Dan Coats releases statement confirming that Russia interfered in the 2016 Election.
July 22, 2018: Senator Rubio says Trump was wrong to question US Intelligence’s conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 Election at the Helsinki Summit and needs to focus on deterring future attacks.
September 21, 2018: News breaks that Rosenstein offered to wear a wire on Trump and suggested invoking the 25th amendment to have Trump removed from office.
September 24, 2018: Rosenstein meets with Trump’s Chief of Staff Kelly and offers to resign.
September 24, 2018: Rosenstein meets with Trump’s Chief of Staff Kelly and offers to resign.
October 8, 2018: Rosenstein flies to Florida with Trump to plead for his job and tells Trump he “gives the investigation credibility” and can “land the plane.” Trump tweets, saying Rosenstein denied offering to wear a wire on Trump, giving himself more kompromat on Rosenstein.
November 7, 2018: Matthew Whitaker named Acting AG and takes control of Mueller investigation.
Early December 2018: Rosenstein meets with Trump at the White House and Trump demands assurances that Rosenstein is “on the team.” Rosenstein says he is.
Early December 2018: Rosenstein meets with Trump at the White House and Trump demands assurances that Rosenstein is “on the team.” Rosenstein says he is.
December 7, 2018: Trump announces plan to appoint Bill Barr as AG.
January 11, 2019: Reports first emerge that, after Comey was fired, the FBI opened a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump was a Russian agent.
January 11, 2019: Reports first emerge that, after Comey was fired, the FBI opened a counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump was a Russian agent.
January 29, 2019: DNI Dan Coats testifies to Senate Intel that Russia is attempting to interfere in the 2020 election and will use novel approaches.
February 2019: Val Broeksmit meets with FBI agents in LA Field Office and gives them Deutsche Bank documents.
February 2019: Val Broeksmit meets with FBI agents in LA Field Office and gives them Deutsche Bank documents.
February 6, 2019: Senate Intel Committee Chairman Burr suggests that the Committee’s investigation has not found evidence of a Trump-Russia conspiracy. Warner disputes Burr’s conclusion.
February 14, 2019: Bill Barr appointed AG.
February 14, 2019: Bill Barr appointed AG.
February 14, 2019: McCabe does early release inteviews in advance of release date for his book, and reveals that he expanded the FBI counterintelligence investigation to include Trump as a target, saying evidence warranted an investigation into whether Trump was compromised.
February 19, 2019: McCabe’s book “The Threat” is published.
February 19, 2019: John Brown named director of the FBI Counterintelligence Division, replacing Bill Priestap.
February 19, 2019: John Brown named director of the FBI Counterintelligence Division, replacing Bill Priestap.
February 20, 2019: Reports emerge of a “back-up plan” hatched by the FBI. McCabe tells Colbert “We needed to know what we would do if Mueller was suddenly fired and his team was disbanded, and what we needed to do was to take our cases back continue those investigations.”
March 5, 2019: Nineteen days after Barr becomes AG, Mueller meets with Barr and previews his findings.
March 22, 2019: Mueller submits the Mueller Report to AG Barr.
March 24, 2019: Barr releases misleading summary of the Mueller Report.
March 22, 2019: Mueller submits the Mueller Report to AG Barr.
March 24, 2019: Barr releases misleading summary of the Mueller Report.
March 27, 2019: Mueller “goes to paper” with letter to Barr regarding Barr’s misleading March 24 summary of his report.
March 27, 2019: Assistant US Attorney Goodhand says Mueller’s grand jury continues “robustly” despite conclusion of investigation and submission of report.
March 27, 2019: Assistant US Attorney Goodhand says Mueller’s grand jury continues “robustly” despite conclusion of investigation and submission of report.
March 28, 2019: Senate Intelligence Committee interviews Kushner.
April 3, 2019: Trump tells the media that the “oranges” (meaning origins) of the FBI counterintelligence investigation against him must be investigated.
April 3, 2019: Trump tells the media that the “oranges” (meaning origins) of the FBI counterintelligence investigation against him must be investigated.
April 10, 2019: Barr testifies to Senate that he believes the Trump campaign was spied on and he will be investigating the origins of the investigation. Barr’s goal appears to be to undermine the FBI investigation by finding that it should never have been opened.
April 18, 2019: Bill Barr releases a heavily redacted version of the Mueller Report, revealing that Mueller only performed a criminal investigation into a narrow set of crimes dictated by Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein through a series of scope memos.
Redacted Mueller Report reveals Mueller did not perform counterintelligence investigation into Trump. FBI performed a separate counterintelligence investigation, and helpful evidence Mueller found was turned over to small team of embedded FBI counterintelligence agent’s.
April 26, 2019: Rubio tells The New York Times that Russian hackers gained access to a Florida election system in 2016 and were "in a position" to change voter registration data, but the affected county was never told because it was discovered through an intelligence operation.
May 8, 2019: Burr and the Senate Intel issue subpoena for testimony from Donald Trump, Jr.
May 9, 2019: Rubio clarifies Mueller investigation was a criminal investigation, whereas the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation is “an intelligence investigation.”
May 9, 2019: Rubio clarifies Mueller investigation was a criminal investigation, whereas the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation is “an intelligence investigation.”
May 11, 2019: Trump tweets series of attacks against Burr for issuing subpoena to Donald Trump, Jr.
May 11, 2019: Rosenstein steps down as Deputy AG.
May 12, 2019: Trump tweets that Christopher Wray is supporting a coup against him.
May 11, 2019: Rosenstein steps down as Deputy AG.
May 12, 2019: Trump tweets that Christopher Wray is supporting a coup against him.
May 13, 2019: Barr appoints DOJ Durham to investigate the origins of the Russia investigation in order to generate a finding that the FBI counterintelligence investigation lacked an appropriate predicate and was flawed in its origins.
May 23, 2019: Trump orders US Intelligence to cooperate with the Durham investigation and grants Bill Barr the power to declassify any intelligence in connection with the investigation of the investigators.
May 29, 2019: Mueller resigns and gives press conference.
May 29, 2019: McCabe implies to Trump Inc. podcast FBI is investigating Trump using agents Trump does not know, and he thinks effort to identify Trump as part of organized crime enterprise remains “ongoing.”
May 29, 2019: McCabe implies to Trump Inc. podcast FBI is investigating Trump using agents Trump does not know, and he thinks effort to identify Trump as part of organized crime enterprise remains “ongoing.”
July 2019: DNI Dan Coats appoints Shelby Pierson to newly created position of chief election security official for ODNI.
July 1, 2019: Timothy Slater named head of FBI Washington Field Office.
July 12, 2019: Donald Trump, Jr. testifies to the Senate Intelligence Committee.
July 1, 2019: Timothy Slater named head of FBI Washington Field Office.
July 12, 2019: Donald Trump, Jr. testifies to the Senate Intelligence Committee.
July 23, 2019: FBI Director Wray testifies to the Senate Judiciary Committee warning that Russia continues to interfere in American elections, and saying Mueller was a “consummate professional and straight shooter” and he did not doubt Mueller’s work.
July 24, 2019: Mueller testifies to House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees and confirms FBI counterintelligence investigation into Trump remains “ongoing.”
July 25, 2019: Senate Intel releases Volume 1 of Russia report regarding interference with election infrastructure.
July 25, 2019: Senate Intel releases Volume 1 of Russia report regarding interference with election infrastructure.
July 28, 2019: Trump announces Dan Coats will be removed as DNI effective August 15, 2019
July 28, 2019: Trump announces intent to nominate John Ratcliffe as DNI to “rein in” US Intelligence, which Trump claimed had “run amok.”
July 28, 2019: Trump announces intent to nominate John Ratcliffe as DNI to “rein in” US Intelligence, which Trump claimed had “run amok.”
August 2, 2019: Trump withdraws Ratcliffe nomination for DNI.
August 8, 2019: DNI Coats interrupts election security meeting to advise his deputy, Sue Gordon, to abruptly resign.
August 15, 2019: Coats removed as DNI.
August 16, 2019: Maguire appointed Acting DNI.
August 8, 2019: DNI Coats interrupts election security meeting to advise his deputy, Sue Gordon, to abruptly resign.
August 15, 2019: Coats removed as DNI.
August 16, 2019: Maguire appointed Acting DNI.
September 2019: Bill Barr travels to the UK, Italy, and Australia to find support for his investigation of the investigators.
October 8, 2019: The Senate Intelligence Committee issues Volume 2 of its Report on Russian election interference regarding social media interference.
October 8, 2019: The Senate Intelligence Committee issues Volume 2 of its Report on Russian election interference regarding social media interference.
October 24, 2019: Durham’s investigation of the investigators is converted into a criminal investigation.
December 5, 2019: Burr reportedly tells Senators Grassley and Ron Johnson in private not to weaponize Russian disinformation about Joe Biden.
December 5, 2019: Burr reportedly tells Senators Grassley and Ron Johnson in private not to weaponize Russian disinformation about Joe Biden.
December 9, 2019: IG Horowitz concludes that Crossfire Hurricane was properly predicated.
December 9, 2019: Durham issues statement disagreeing with the Horowitz Report.
December 9, 2019: Durham issues statement disagreeing with the Horowitz Report.
December 9, 2019: Wray issues statement backing Horowitz and saying “FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation and related investigations of certain individuals were opened in 2016 for an authorized purpose and with adequate factual predication.”
December 10, 2019: Trump publicly disagrees with Wray’s reading of the Horowitz Report and says Wray will not be able to fix the FBI given his attitude. Press reports indicate Trump wants to fire Wray but is afraid of sparking the kind of controversy that arose from firing Comey.
January 14, 2020: Barr announces new policy requiring he approve any FBI investigation of a candidate for POTUS.
~January 20, 2020: Bernie Sanders informed by FBI Russia is interfering to assist his campaign. Sanders does not tell the public.
~January 20, 2020: Bernie Sanders informed by FBI Russia is interfering to assist his campaign. Sanders does not tell the public.
February 5, 2020: FBI Director Wray testifies to the House Judiciary Committee that Russian election interference “never stopped.”
February 6, 2020: Senate Intel releases Volume 3 of its Russia Report regarding Obama Administration handling of the investigation.
February 6, 2020: Senate Intel releases Volume 3 of its Russia Report regarding Obama Administration handling of the investigation.
February 13, 2020: Shelby Pierson, chief elections security official for ODNI, provides confidential testimony to the House Intelligence Committee that Russia is interfering in the 2020 Election to help both Trump and Bernie Sanders win.
February 13, 2020: Richard Burr sold stock, allegedly based on inside information in violation of the STOCK Act.
February 20, 2020: Maguire removed as Acting DNI.
February 20, 2020: Rick Grenell appointed Acting DNI.
February 20, 2020: Maguire removed as Acting DNI.
February 20, 2020: Rick Grenell appointed Acting DNI.
February 21, 2020: US Intelligence informs media Russia is interfering to assist Sanders. The warning comes only eleven days before Super Tuesday and immediately after the removal of Maguire as Acting DNI. It is unknown whether Maguire approved this disclosure.
February 23, 2020: Trump informs media that he was unaware of US Intelligence’s investigation of Russia’s interference to aid Bernie Sanders. For Trump to have been unaware of that investigation, he would have to have been recused, the reason for which is unknown.
February 23, 2020: Trump National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien says he has not seen intelligence indicating Russia is interfering in the 2020 election, implying the NSC is being left out by US Intelligence.
February 28, 2020: Trump nominates Ratcliffe as DNI.
February 28, 2020: Trump nominates Ratcliffe as DNI.
February 29, 2020: Warner warns Trump against nominating Ratcliffe as DNI, saying Ratcliffe is partisan.
March 19, 2020: News breaks of Richard Burr’s February 13, 2020, stock sales.
March 19, 2020: News breaks of Richard Burr’s February 13, 2020, stock sales.
April 3, 2020: Trump fires Intelligence Community Inspector General Atkinson (who would have received any whistleblower complaints about ODNI handling of Senate Intelligence Committee Reports on its Russia investigation).
April 21, 2020: Senate Intel releases heavily redacted version of Volume 4 of its report on the IC’s assessment of Russian election interference, concluding Russia interfered to help Trump and saying Volume 5 will address counterintelligence findings on Trump and associates.
April 24, 2020: Alan Kohler named assistant director of the FBI Counterintelligence Division.
May 3, 2020: Reports again emerge that Trump wants to fire Christopher Wray as FBI Director, but Bill Barr warns against firing him right before the 2020 Election.
May 3, 2020: Reports again emerge that Trump wants to fire Christopher Wray as FBI Director, but Bill Barr warns against firing him right before the 2020 Election.
May 5, 2020: Ratcliffe confirmation hearing. Burr and Warner announce that Volume 5 of the report is complete and is 1000 pages. Warner and Burr demand assurances from Ratcliffe that Volume 5 will be promptly declassified and released in redacted form before August recess.
May 6, 2020; Evanina confirmed as ODNI Director of Counterintelligence after being appointed in 2014 and after a new rule required Senate confirmation for his position.
May 7, 2020: DOJ moves to drop the criminal case against Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
May 7, 2020: DOJ moves to drop the criminal case against Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
May 10-May 14, 2020: Trump repeatedly tweets and talks to the media about “Obamagate,” which appears to be a reference to the FBI counterintelligence investigation against Trump and his associates.
May 14, 2020: FBI seizes the cell phone of Senate Intel Chairman Richard Burr.
May 14, 2020: FBI seizes the cell phone of Senate Intel Chairman Richard Burr.
May 15, 2020: The Senate Intelligence Committee submits to ODNI for declassification Volume 5 of its report on the FBI’s investigation of Russian election interference, covering the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into whether Trump is compromised by Russia.
The report totals 1000 pages. The public is not told whether the FBI counterintelligence investigation is over or continues. It also is unknown whether that investigation covers or is separate from any evidence of Trump working with Russia to interfere in the 2020 election.
Along with Volume 5 of its Report, Senate Intel sends a letter saying it prepared its own redacted version of Volume 5 to compare to what ODNI proposes to redact. Any Senator can read Volume 5 aloud on the Senate floor under the Speech & Debate Clause of the Constitution.
May 15, 2020: Richard Burr steps down as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
May 15, 2020: ODNI announces that, going forward, Counterintelligence Director Evanina will brief all Presidential campaigns rather than briefings coming from the FBI.
May 15, 2020: ODNI announces that, going forward, Counterintelligence Director Evanina will brief all Presidential campaigns rather than briefings coming from the FBI.
May 18, 2020: Marco Rubio becomes Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
May 26, 2020: Grenell removed as Acting DNI.
May 26, 2020: Ratcliffe appointed DNI.
May 26, 2020: Grenell removed as Acting DNI.
May 26, 2020: Ratcliffe appointed DNI.
May 27, 2020: Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Rubio says he is focused on Russian election interference and does not intend to help Trump push investigations of Biden.
May 30, 2020: FBI General Counsel, Dana Boente, reportedly forced out of office, effective June 30, 2020.
May 31, 2020: Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Rubio says social media activity by three foreign adversaries is stoking divisiveness.
May 31, 2020: Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Rubio says social media activity by three foreign adversaries is stoking divisiveness.
