Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and nine other Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are requesting an inquiry into U.S. Attorney John Durham’s probe into the origins of the FBI’s Russia investigation
Harris and her Democratic colleagues penned a letter to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz demanding he address whether Durham’s probe violates the Department of Justice’s policies.
“We write to request that you investigate whether U.S. Attorney John Durham’s investigation complies with Department of Justice policies, including policies that protect criminal investigations from political influence,” Harris and her Senate colleagues wrote.
They added, “The Department’s mission ‘to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans’ requires that its prosecutorial decisions be insulated from political influence. To that end, longstanding rules restrain Department personnel from publicly commenting on public investigations, taking actions that may affect an upcoming election, and communicating with the White House about ongoing criminal investigations.”
Harris and her fellow Democrats suggested Attorney General William Barr and President Donald Trump are “violating these long standing rules.”
They pointed to a report released by the Hartford Courant that featured sources who revealed why Nora Dannehy, a well-respected former federal prosecutor and a member of Durham’s team, resigned.
According to sources, she left out of concern Durham “is being pressed for political reasons to produce a report before its work is done” and ahead of the November election.
They cited Barr’s remarks on the investigation that “there are going to be developments, significant developments, before the election.”
Harris and her colleagues also referenced White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ claim he “had seen documents related to the Durham investigation that ‘spell trouble’ for Obama-era officials.”
The Democrats closed their letter, “These actions suggest that the Durham investigation is being misled for partisan political purposes and undermine the legitimacy of any investigative steps Mr. Durham takes. In addition, it remains unclear what rules and authority permit the public release of a ‘report’ by U.S. Attorney Durham, raising additional concerns about the legitimacy of his appointment and work.”
They went on, “We therefore request that your office investigate whether the Durham investigation has operated consistent with Department rules governing the appointment of U.S. Attorney’s and the Department’s rules on public statements concerning pending investigations, taking action that may impact an upcoming election, and White House – Department communications concerning pending criminal investigations.”