Alan Dershowitz is having second thoughts about Trump's 'Spygate'

Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz is often willing to go to bat for President Trump, but Trump's "Spygate" claims may be going too far for even Dershowitz to support.
Dershowitz went on Fox News on Wednesday to offer his opinion on earlier analysis by House Oversight Committee chair Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.). Gowdy on Tuesday said that "the FBI did exactly what my fellow citizens would want them to do when they got the information they got, and that it has nothing to do with Donald Trump," flying in the face of Trump's claims that the FBI was politically motivated to seek disparaging information when an informant spoke to members of his campaign staff.
Dershowitz found Gowdy convincing — or at least, "halfway" convincing. When asked about Gowdy's assurances that the FBI acted properly, Dershowitz said he found them credible. “I'm halfway persuaded,” he said. “I want to hear the inspector general and would like to see the facts myself, but I'm on the way to being persuaded.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While Dershowitz still thought that the FBI should have told Trump that the agency was looking into his campaign, it was ultimately a "judgment call," he said. Watch the full interview below, via Fox News. Summer Meza
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
The UK's best food and drink festivals in 2025
The Week Recommends Enjoy delicious dishes at a culinary extravaganza near you
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
The world's youngest leaders
The Explainer Younger PMs and presidents are praised for 'injecting new energy' into world politics
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Full moon calendar: dates and times for every full moon this year
In depth When to see the lunar phenomenon every month
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Trump eases Mexico, Canada tariffs again as markets slide
speed read The president suspended some of the 25% tariffs he imposed on Mexican and Canadian imports
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump tells Cabinet they are in charge of layoffs, not Musk
Speed Read The White House has faced mounting complaints about DOGE's sweeping cuts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rep. Sylvester Turner dies, weeks after joining House
Speed Read The former Houston mayor and longtime state legislator left behind a final message for Trump: 'Don't mess with Medicaid'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses Ukraine intelligence sharing
Speed Read The decision is intended to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rules against Trump on aid freeze
Speed Read The court rejected the president's request to freeze nearly $2 billion in payments for foreign humanitarian work
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump touts early wins in partisan speech to Congress
Speed Read The president said he is 'just getting started' with his sweeping changes to immigration, the economy and foreign policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trudeau blasts Trump's 'very dumb' trade war
Speed Read Retaliatory measures have been announced by America's largest trading partners following Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine after public spat
Speed Read Trump and J.D. Vance berated Volodymyr Zelenskyy for what they saw as insufficient gratitude
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published