Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Understanding the Justice Department’s Investigation into the Origins of the Trump-Russia Probe: What We Know and What Remains Unclear
  • Local news

Understanding the Justice Department’s Investigation into the Origins of the Trump-Russia Probe: What We Know and What Remains Unclear

    What's known and not yet known about the Justice Department's scrutiny of Trump-Russia probe origins
    Up next
    One Person Injured in Large Fire at North Las Vegas Construction Site
    Published on 05 August 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • about,
    • and,
    • Barack Obama,
    • Chuck Grassley,
    • Department039s,
    • Donald Trump,
    • Elections,
    • George Soros,
    • Hillary Clinton,
    • James Brennan,
    • James Comey,
    • Jeffrey Epstein,
    • john durham,
    • justice,
    • known,
    • Marco Rubio,
    • not,
    • origins,
    • pam bondi,
    • Politics,
    • probe,
    • Robert Mueller,
    • scrutiny,
    • The,
    • TrumpRussia,
    • tulsi gabbard,
    • Washington news,
    • What039s,
    • yet
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    WASHINGTON – News has emerged that Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to launch a criminal probe into the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation from the Obama era. This indicates that one of the most examined and politically divisive chapters in recent American history will once more be subject to scrutiny.

    Here’s a look at what’s known and not yet known about the latest Justice Department revelation:

    A saga with a long backstory

    Perhaps nothing infuriates President Donald Trump more than the intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 election to his advantage, coupled with law enforcement investigations into potential collusion between his campaign and Moscow to influence the election results.

    The investigation led by Robert Mueller, a former FBI director appointed as special counsel by Trump’s initial Justice Department, concluded that Russia had conducted an extensive operation benefiting Trump and that the Republican’s campaign had welcomed this assistance. However, Mueller did not uncover enough evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign.

    As he returns to the presidency, Trump has made it clear that he wishes to use the Justice Department to retaliate against political opponents he believes have tarnished his image, including advocating for the imprisonment of Obama-era officials.

    The current administration, now more broadly spanning multiple agencies, is attempting to revisit the widely accepted finding — acknowledged by notable Republicans — of Russian interference and is scrutinizing the officials involved in formulating that conclusion.

    A Bondi grand jury directive

    Bondi, a staunch Trump supporter, has instructed Justice Department prosecutors to submit evidence pertaining to the Russia investigation to a grand jury. Grand juries are utilized by prosecutors to issue subpoenas for records and testimonies, and they can lead to indictments based on the evidence assembled.

    The bar is low for an indictment given that the presentation of evidence by prosecutors is one-sided, though grand juries do have the option to decline to indict and have done so in the past.

    A person familiar with the matter confirmed Bondi’s directive to The Associated Press but key questions remain.

    It was not disclosed, for instance, which prosecutors are pursuing the investigation, where the grand jury that might hear evidence is located and whether and when law enforcement officials might seek to bring criminal charges.

    The Justice Department, in an unusual statement last month, appeared to confirm the existence of an investigation into former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director James Brennan but provided no details or specifics.

    Potential targets of probe remain unclear

    It’s not clear who might be targeted in the investigation, but the Trump administration has been aggressively challenging intelligence community conclusions about Russia’s actions and intentions that had long ago seemed settled.

    It’s been a welcome diversion for the administration as it confronts a wave of criticism from Trump’s base and conservative influencers over the handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation.

    In the last month, Trump administration officials and allies have released a series of documents aimed at casting doubt on the extent of interference and at portraying the original Russia investigation as an Obama administration frame-job.

    The documents have been hailed as incontrovertible proof of a conspiracy, but a close inspection of the records shows they fall well short of that.

    Among the documents released by Tulsi Gabbard, the administration’s director of national intelligence, are emails from 2016 showing that Obama administration officials recognized in 2016 that Russians had not hacked state election systems to manipulate votes in favor of Trump.

    But the absence of evidence that votes were switched — something the Obama administration never alleged — has no bearing on the ample evidence of other forms of Russia interference, including a hack-and-leak operation involving Democratic emails and a covert social media campaign aimed at sowing discord and spreading disinformation.

    Last week, Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a previously classified annex of a 2023 report by John Durham, the special counsel appointed by the first Trump administration to hunt for government misconduct in the Russia probe.

    The annex included a series of emails, including one from July 2016 that was purportedly sent by a senior staffer at a philanthropic organization founded by billionaire investor George Soros, that referred to a plan approved by then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to falsely link Trump to Russia.

    But Durham’s own report took pain to note that investigators had not corroborated the communications as authentic and said the best assessment was that the message was “a composites of several emails” the Russians had obtained from hacking — raising the likelihood that it was a product of Russian disinformation.

    Fresh scrutiny has also centered around the intelligence community assessment on Russian election interference, which was published in January 2017. An annex in a classified version of the assessment contained a summary of the so-called Steele dossier — a compilation of opposition research that included uncorroborated rumors and salacious gossip about Trump and Russia.

    The latest in a series of investigations

    Just as Russian interference has been heavily scrutinized, so too has the U.S. government’s response to it.

    Multiple government reports, including not only from Mueller but also a Republican-led Senate intelligence committee that included current Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have documented Russia’s activities in sweeping details.

    To be sure, reports from the Justice Department inspector general and Durham also identified significant flaws in the FBI’s Russia investigation, including errors and omissions in applications the Justice Department submitted to a secretive surveillance court to eavesdrop on a national security adviser to the 2016 Trump campaign.

    But Durham found no criminal wrongdoing among government officials, bringing three criminal cases — two against private citizens that resulted in acquittals at trial and a third against a little-known FBI lawyer who pleaded guilty to doctoring an email.

    It is unclear if there is any criminal wrongdoing that exists that Durham, who launched his investigation in 2019 and concluded it four years later, somehow missed during his sprawling inquiry.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Charges filed after Houston boy killed playing doorbell prank
    • Local news

    Charges Laid Following Tragic Incident Involving Houston Boy’s Doorbell Prank

    Charges have been brought forth regarding the tragic shooting of an 11-year-old…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Rudy Giuliani leaves the hospital after being injured in a car crash in New Hampshire
    • Local news

    Rudy Giuliani Discharged from Hospital Following Car Accident Injuries in New Hampshire

    Rudy Giuliani has been discharged from the hospital and is “progressing well”…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    'Woke' test for new Oklahoma teachers  impossible to fail
    • Local news

    Oklahoma Teachers’ ‘Woke’ Exam Deemed Unfailable

    OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR) – A newly introduced 34-question evaluation intended to filter…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Over $500,000 worth of fake Labubu dolls intercepted at Seattle airport, CBP says
    • Local news

    CBP reports seizure of counterfeit Labubu dolls valued at more than $500,000 at Seattle airport

    A shipment of counterfeit Labubu dolls, which would be valued at over…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Spanish Moss Trail extension into Port Royal set to begin this month
    • Local news

    Construction on the Spanish Moss Trail Extension into Port Royal Starting Soon

    The remaining segments of the Spanish Moss Trail are finally coming together.…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Tariffs, migration and cartels will top Rubio's talks in Mexico and Ecuador this week
    • Local news

    Rubio to Focus on Tariffs, Immigration, and Cartels During Mexico and Ecuador Visit This Week

    MEXICO CITY – Key topics such as security, sovereignty, tariffs, trade, drugs,…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Lakeland mom upset by state offering plea deal to daughter's accused murderer
    • Local news

    Lakeland Mother Distressed Over State’s Plea Deal Offer for Daughter’s Alleged Killer

    POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Lakeland mother is outraged after the…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Actor Graham Greene, Known for ‘Dances With Wolves,’ Dies at 73
    • Local news

    Graham Greene, Actor in ‘Dances With Wolves,’ Passes Away at 73

    IE 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    China puts on display of force with military parade
    • Local news

    China Showcases Military Strength with Parade

    IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025

    W. State of Franklin Lane Shutdown in Johnson City until Week’s End

    JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The city of Johnson City has announced…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Utah man accused of messaging undercover officer he believed was a child
    • Local news

    Utah resident charged with contacting an undercover cop posing as a minor

    Content warning: This article discusses alleged child exploitation. Reader discretion is advised.…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Trump’s use of National Guard during Los Angeles immigration protests is illegal, a judge rules
    • Local news

    Judge Rules Trump’s Deployment of National Guard in LA Immigration Protests Unlawful

    All images and text are credited to the respective individuals and organizations…
    • Internewscast
    • September 2, 2025
    Here are the jobs covered by Trump’s ‘No tax on tips’ law
    • Local news

    Jobs Affected by Trump’s ‘No Tax on Tips’ Legislation

    (The Hill) – Over 60 professions will benefit from President Trump’s “no…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Dwayne Johnson breaks down in tears as film gets a 15-minute ovation
    • Entertainment

    Dwayne Johnson Moved to Tears After His Movie Receives a 15-Minute Standing Ovation

    Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson became emotional on Tuesday night when his film,…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFERS REPORT CARD: How did YOUR club fare?
    • News

    PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFER EVALUATION: How well did your team do?

    The transfer window slammed shut with an almighty bang on Monday evening…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Three CSRA lottery players win $50,000, as growing Powerball jackpot is yet to be won
    • Local news

    Three CSRA Lottery Winners Score $50,000 Each While Massive Powerball Jackpot Remains Unclaimed

    Check your tickets! In the past week, three lottery players in the…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.