A recently declassified memo from the FBI has brought new insights into the Trump-Russia probe, casting doubt on the accuracy of congressional testimony by Nellie Ohr of Fusion GPS. These revelations suggest deeper connections between Fusion GPS, the Clinton campaign, and the origins of the Steele Dossier.
The memo suggests that Ohr, who played a role in the Trump-Russia investigation, may have provided false information during her 2018 congressional testimony, as Just the News reports.
Ohr, connected to the research firm Fusion GPS, testified before Congress in October 2018. During her testimony, she claimed to have been unaware of the Department of Justice's investigation into the alleged Trump-Russia collusion. However, the newly released memo contradicts her statements, suggesting she knew about the investigation.
The memo highlights that Nellie Ohr shared materials with her husband, Bruce Ohr, a DOJ official. Communications extracted by the FBI indicate that she was indeed aware of and involved in matters related to the investigation.
Her research at Fusion GPS reportedly contained similarities to aspects of the official investigation into Trump-Russia ties. A meeting involving Nellie Ohr, her husband Bruce Ohr, and Christopher Steele, who authored the Steele Dossier, is also noted in the memo.
This meeting suggests potential coordination and exchange of information relevant to the probe. The document hints at substantial involvement by the Clinton campaign in disseminating Russian collusion claims, working closely with Fusion GPS.
Central to this revelation is the origin and dissemination of the Steele Dossier, a key element of the Trump-Russia investigation. The memo further exposes the interconnection between Fusion GPS, Christopher Steele, and another dossier by Cody Shearer.
The FBI labeled the Shearer dossier as "obviously fictitious," yet it maintained ties to both Steele and Fusion GPS. Evidence uncovered by the FBI shows that Glenn Simpson, co-founder of Fusion GPS, handled a file linked to this dossier before it was passed to the FBI by Steele.
This action underscores the systematic effort by Fusion GPS, challenging earlier assertions that Steele acted independently in providing information to the FBI.
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley has alleged that Nellie Ohr lied under oath to Congress, which would constitute an obstruction of investigations. These violations of federal statutes could lead to significant legal consequences.
However, the expiration of the statute of limitations in 2023 complicates potential legal actions, although there are possible legal exceptions. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice stated that it is standard policy to neither confirm nor deny the existence of ongoing investigations, keeping any potential inquiries into Ohr’s actions confidential.
Nevertheless, Grassley's allegations bring serious implications for the conduct and credibility of the Fusion GPS operations.
Despite the revelations regarding the coordination between Fusion GPS, the Clinton campaign, and Steele, the investigations into Trump's alleged collusion have reached bipartisan conclusions of no collusion with Russia. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation concluded without finding any coordination between the Trump campaign and Moscow.
Further affirming Mueller's findings, a 2023 report by John Durham similarly declared that there was no solid evidence to support the allegations of collusion, echoing the notion that the origins and pursuit of the investigation were severely flawed.
The release of the FBI memo not only renews scrutiny over the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation but also calls into question the integrity of testimonies provided during one of the most politically charged inquiries in recent history. As the layers of political strategies unravel, the memo reveals the complex backdrop and questionable tactics that shaped the narrative of alleged collusion.
