Justice Dept Reopens Trump-Russia Probe with New Subpoenas/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Justice Department has reopened an inquiry into the origins of the 2016 Trump-Russia investigation. Dozens of subpoenas target intelligence officials and former FBI personnel. The move reflects former President Trump’s ongoing push for retribution and narrative control.
Trump-Russia Probe Quick Looks
- DOJ launches renewed inquiry into 2016 Trump-Russia election interference origins.
- Dozens of subpoenas issued in Southern District of Florida, targeting ex-intel and FBI officials.
- Key figures named: John Brennan, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page.
- Focus on 2017 intelligence report by Obama-era officials and use of Steele dossier.
- Questions raised about analytical integrity and inclusion of unverified intelligence.
- Trump loyalists in key roles champion declassification of documents.
- Steele dossier criticism resurface in DOJ scrutiny of intelligence assessments.
- No charges yet, but inquiry underscores Trump’s continued efforts to revisit Russia probe roots.
Deep Look
Justice Department Reopens Trump-Russia Probe, Subpoenas Key Intelligence Figures
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a renewed investigation into the origins of the 2016 Trump-Russia probe, issuing a wave of subpoenas that signal former President Donald Trump’s continued pursuit of accountability over what he long characterized as a politically motivated investigation. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the subpoenas are tied to the government’s review of how intelligence agencies assessed Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Issued through a grand jury in the Southern District of Florida, the subpoenas seek documents related to the intelligence community assessment made public in January 2017. That assessment, compiled under the Obama administration, concluded that Russia engaged in a covert campaign to sway the 2016 election in favor of Trump by hacking Democratic emails and launching disinformation campaigns on social media.
While the precise nature of any potential criminal allegations remains unclear, the revived investigation illustrates Trump’s commitment to scrutinizing the probe that dogged his early presidency. The case also intersects with broader Justice Department investigations into political adversaries of Trump, such as former FBI Director James Comey, who was dismissed in 2017 amid rising tensions over the Russia inquiry.
Though the list of subpoenaed individuals hasn’t been fully disclosed, insiders identified former CIA Director John Brennan, ex-FBI counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok, and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page as among those targeted. Both Strzok and Page were involved in the Russia investigation and made headlines for anti-Trump text exchanges, which led to their eventual dismissal or resignation from the bureau. Reports suggest that up to 30 subpoenas may be issued.
A critical component of the inquiry focuses on the classified annex of the 2017 intelligence community assessment, which included a summary of the so-called Steele dossier. This dossier, a collection of opposition research funded by Democrats and compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, contained unverified and at times salacious claims about Trump’s ties to Russia. Critics, including Trump and his allies, have long asserted that the dossier’s inclusion undermined the report’s credibility.
The revived DOJ probe scrutinizes whether the FBI’s decision to include the Steele summary in the classified version of the report constituted a breach of analytical integrity. A recently declassified CIA review from July, released by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, pointed to “tradecraft anomalies” in the creation of the intelligence assessment. The report suggested that elevating the Steele material to a classified annex may have inappropriately implied its reliability.
Multiple bipartisan investigations, including the Mueller probe, previously found that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to benefit Trump. However, Mueller’s investigation did not conclude that Trump or his campaign conspired with Russian operatives to influence the election outcome. Still, the Trump team welcomed the help, further blurring ethical lines and intensifying the national debate around foreign influence and political accountability.
Since returning to political life, Trump has repeatedly condemned the Russia investigation as a “witch hunt” and vowed retribution against those involved. His administration has supported the release of classified documents from the Obama era in an effort to discredit the original investigation. High-profile officials like FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard have joined in those efforts, supporting transparency in what they see as a politically weaponized intelligence process.
This latest DOJ activity underscores how the events of 2016 and their aftermath continue to shape Trump’s political agenda, legal landscape, and the broader U.S. intelligence community’s legacy.
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