In a recent interview, CIA Director John Ratcliffe discussed forthcoming findings from former Special Counsel John Durham's report, which he claims will shed light on the origins of the Russia collusion narrative associated with Hillary Clinton and the FBI. Ratcliffe indicated that he has been advocating for the release of a classified section of Durham's report that critiques the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation into alleged connections between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia.
Ratcliffe stated that the intelligence he has reviewed suggests a coordinated effort between Clinton and the FBI to amplify false claims of collusion, particularly in relation to the Steele dossier and other allegations. He referenced past disclosures from 2020, when he revealed that federal officials had referred Clinton for investigation due to insights suggesting she approved a plan to link Trump to Russian hacking activities as a distraction from her email scandal.
Durham's report reportedly highlights that members of the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane team were not made aware of critical intelligence regarding Clinton's alleged plan. This intelligence could have been pivotal in guiding the investigation, which relied on partisan sources like the Steele dossier and allegations regarding a secret backchannel between Trump and Russia's Alfa Bank.
Ratcliffe emphasized that regardless of the reliability of the Clinton Plan intelligence, it should have prompted more rigorous analysis and dissemination among investigators. He also noted inconsistencies in testimonies from Clinton and former officials, suggesting that the upcoming declassified information may contradict previous statements. Ratcliffe remarked on the current Department of Justice's approach, indicating a renewed opportunity to assess the actions taken during the investigation into the Russia collusion allegations.