DOJ subpoenas James Comey over role in 2017 Russia intel report tied to Trump probe
WASHINGTON, DC: The US Department of Justice has subpoenaed former FBI Director James Comey over his role in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, two sources told Axios on Thursday, March 19.
This move comes as the investigation escalates. Earlier reports revealed that Comey, along with former CIA Director John Brennan, is facing potential criminal scrutiny in connection with the probe.
James Comey subpoenaed in 2016 Russia election investigation
The DOJ asking former FBI Director James Comey to testify comes after claims by National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. In a July 23 news briefing, she said the Obama administration created a “contrived narrative” that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump.
On the same day, the Justice Department announced a “Strike Force” to review evidence and explore possible legal actions.
Axios first reported that Comey has been subpoenaed in the broad “grand conspiracy” case involving former officials who investigated and prosecuted Trump, citing anonymous sources. The investigation is reportedly led by Florida federal prosecutor Jason A Reding Quinones, who was appointed by Trump.
Over the past year, the DOJ has started several prosecutions after Trump publicly called for certain people to be charged. This includes the previous, unsuccessful prosecution against Comey, who Trump fired from the FBI in 2017.
It also includes a case against New York Attorney General Letitia James, who sued Trump in 2022. Both cases were dismissed because a judge ruled the prosecutors who brought the charges were unlawfully appointed.
Steele dossier inclusion in ICA triggers FBI probe
Last July, Fox News reported that former CIA Director John Ratcliffe sent a criminal referral to the FBI about former CIA Director John Brennan. The referral came after Ratcliffe released a review showing that Brennan had pushed to include the Steele dossier in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), even though the CIA had agreed it was mostly unverified internet rumors.
The 2017 ICA claimed that Russia tried to influence the 2016 election to help then-candidate Donald Trump. The review found that the ICA was rushed, had procedural problems, and ignored standard intelligence rules. It said that including the Steele dossier went against basic intelligence practices and hurt the credibility of the report.
FBI Director Kash Patel received the referral and opened an investigation into Brennan. At the same time, he also started a criminal investigation into Comey. The full details of these investigations are unclear, but some sources say the FBI views Brennan and Comey’s actions as a possible “conspiracy,” which could allow prosecutors to take a wide range of legal actions.
