Barr reportedly launches 3rd investigation into origins of Russia probe

Attorney General William Barr has tasked John H. Durham, the U.S. attorney in Connecticut, with reviewing the origins of the Russia investigation, two people familiar with the matter told The New York Times.
This is the third known investigation into the FBI's 2016 launch of a counterintelligence investigation into potential ties between associates of President Trump and Russians meddling in the election. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz and John W. Huber, the U.S. attorney in Utah, have both been reviewing parts of the inquiry, the Times reports. Durham previously investigated the FBI's handling of mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger and the CIA destroying videos showing terrorism suspects being tortured.
Justice Department and FBI officials have long defended the investigation and use of court-authorized surveillance. At the start of the investigation, the FBI's focus was on four Trump associates: George Papadopoulos, a campaign adviser who told an Australian diplomat he heard Russians had stolen Democratic emails; campaign chairman Paul Manafort; Michael Flynn, who would briefly serve as Trump's first national security adviser; and campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page.
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.
Manafort is now in prison after being convicted of tax fraud and pleading guilty to conspiracy, while Flynn and Papadopoulos both pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during the investigation.
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
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
6 refreshing homes in Miami
Feature Featuring a home previously owned by concert pianist Ruth Greenfield in Spring Garden and a wraparound balcony in Coconut Grove
By The Week Staff Published
-
Pagan Kennedy's 6 favorite books that inspire resistance
Feature The author recommends works by Patrick Radden Keefe, Margaret Atwood, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Argentina's gene-edited horses
Under the Radar Scientists in the polo-obsessed nation have produced world's first genetically edited horses, designed to outrun champion mare whose DNA they (mostly) share
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ex-Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years
Speed Read The former New Jersey senator was convicted on federal bribery and corruption charges last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Police ID driver of exploded Cybertruck, can't see motive
Speed Read An Army Green Beret detonated a homemade bomb in a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Teenage girl kills 2 in Wisconsin school shooting
Speed Read 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow fatally shot a teacher and student at Abundant Life Christian School
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Penny acquitted in NYC subway choking death
Speed Read Daniel Penny was found not guilty of homicide in the 2023 choking death of Jordan Neely
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Suspect in CEO shooting caught, charged with murder
Speed Read Police believe 26-year-old Luigi Mangione killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in 'brazen, targeted' hit
Speed Read Police are conducting a massive search for Brian Thompson's shooter
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
DOJ demands changes at 'abhorrent' Atlanta jail
Speed Read Georgia's Fulton County Jail subjects inmates to 'unconstitutional' conditions, the 16-month investigation found
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
China tries to bury deadly car attack
Speed Read An SUV drove into a crowd of people in Zhuhai, killing and injuring dozens — but news of the attack has been censored
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published