Mueller inquiry targeted by criminal probe

The Trump administration’s probe into the origins of the 2016 Mueller inquiry is now a criminal investigation, US sources say.

It had previously been classed as an administrative review, but the switch to a criminal probe means investigators now have more powers, says the BBC. They will be able to issue subpoenas for testimony and documents relating to Robert Mueller’s inquiry into Donald Trump’s alleged collusion with Russia.

The investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election did not clear the president of obstructing justice, but could not prove any criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

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The president has repeatedly branded Mueller’s investigation a “witch hunt”.

His administration’s decision to investigate the Mueller inquiry is likely to raise concerns that Trump and his supporters could be using new tactics to go after the president’s political opponents, says Al Jazeera.

“Trump has made clear that he sees the typically independent Justice Department as a tool to be wielded against his political enemies,” says The New York Times.

In a joint statement, the chairs of the House judiciary and intelligence committees said the news of a switch to a criminal investigation raised “profound new concerns that the Department of Justice under [attorney general William] Barr has lost its independence and become a vehicle for President Trump’s political revenge”.

It’s not clear when the inquiry shifted to a criminal investigation, and the source who revealed the switch was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

The Justice Department has not commented on the reports, or what potential crime is under investigation.

John Durham, the US attorney for Connecticut, was appointed to lead the review that began in May. Before the switch to a criminal investigation, his powers were limited to voluntarily questioning people and examining government files.

Trump said at the time that he did not order Barr to start the administrative review, but said it was “a great thing that he did” and he was “so proud of our attorney general”.

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