Comey confirms the FBI is investigating Trump campaign ties to Russia's 'efforts to interfere' in the election

(Image credit: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

published 20 March 2017

FBI Director James Comey confirmed Monday while testifying publicly at a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Russia's election meddling that the FBI is investigating the Russian government's "efforts to interfere" in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. "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," Comey said, as well as "an assessment of whether any crimes were committed."

Comey said he had received permission from the Department of Justice to publicly disclose the existence of the investigation. "As you know, our practice is not to confirm existence of ongoing investigations, especially those investigations that involve classified matters," Comey said. "But in unusual circumstances where it is in the public interest, it may be appropriate to do so, as Justice Department policy has recognized. This is one of those circumstances." Comey was unable to give a concrete timetable for when the investigation will be completed because of the investigation's complexity.