FBI Director James Comey announced Monday that the agency will be pursuing an investigation regarding Russian influence on the last year’s Presidential election, including any possible collusion between the Kremlin and Donald Trump. This comes after reports that Democrats are backing away from their Russia claims.
“I’ve been authorized by the Department of Justice to confirm that the FBI, as part of our counterintelligence mission, is investigating the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election,” FBI Director James Comey said to the House Intelligence Committee. “That includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government, and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia’s efforts.”
While opponents of the President may find this news to be comforting, they should realize that there is no guarantee that any evidence will be found. In fact, The Intercept reported last week that Democrats are beginning to back away from the Russian claims, fearing that it was turning into a witch hunt.
“Many Democrats have reached the classic stage of deranged conspiracists where evidence that disproves the theory is viewed as further proof of its existence, and those pointing to it are instantly deemed suspect,” Greenwald said in his report.
Greenwald also noted that former DNI Chief James Clapper and former acting CIA chief Michael Morell cast doubt on the likelihood of a criminal conspiracy between Trump and Russia. Both men are far from being Trump partisans, having served under Democratic officials and frequently delivered harsh criticism toward the President.
It is difficult to say what is driving the FBI investigations, but Democrats should be weary to jump the gun yet again. If Clapper and Morrell turn out fo be correct and the investigations yield no conclusive results, it will be seen as another huge victory for the President.
