In testimony Tuesday morning, Attorney General William Barr said the DOJ should be finished with its investigation into potential FISA abuses by "May or June." The FBI obtained FISA warrants to spy on Carter Page in 2016, who was serving as an adviser for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, because they were concerned he had "collaborated and conspired" with Russia. Part of their means of obtaining the warrant was an uncorroborated dossier produced by former British spy Christopher Steele. Trump and his associates have railed against the FBI for abusing the system. So, Barr's update was welcome news.
Barr says the DOJ IG is working on a review of FISA process as it relates to Trump/Russia investigation (phony Dossier was cited to obtain warrant on Carter Page.) Says review will be complete in May or June. Barr also overseeing a separate, wider review. Reckoning coming soon.
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) April 9, 2019
"So hopefully we'll have some answers from Inspector-General Horowitz on the issue of FISA warrants," Barr said. "More generally, I am reviewing the conduct of the investigation and trying to get my arms around all the aspects of the counterintelligence investigation that was conducted during the summer of 2016."
The AG added that they're also looking into the leaks.
Rep. Aderholt brings up Devin Nunes' "referrals" with regard to Russian spying as well as his allegations of leaks of the FISA warrant against Carter Page. AG Barr says he hasn't examined this yet, "but if there is a predicate for an investigation, it'll be conducted." pic.twitter.com/3YD6wZfXWo
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) April 9, 2019
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel's message was: full speed ahead.
AG Barr said that he’s investigating the abusive FISA process that helped launch these baseless investigations into @realDonaldTrump.
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) April 9, 2019
This is a great step forward in figuring out how the Obama administration and Comey’s FBI abused FISA warrants to spy on the Trump campaign.