Attorney General William P. Barr has assigned John H. Durham, the United States Attorney in Connecticut, to investigate the origins of the Russia Investigation. The country remains divided over the Russian Investigation with many questions raised as to political influence and targeting. Durham is a former special prosecutor with a long and distinguished record at the Justice Department, including prior investigations into CIA abuses of detainees and internal corruption. Besides, he has one of the most intense official photos in government that I have ever seen.
There will be some overlap in the investigation. The department’s inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, is already investigating the use of wiretap applications and any political influences in the investigation. John W. Huber, the United States Attorney in Utah, has been investigating in conjunction with Horowitz. This will be the third investigation and does not count congressional investigations.
Horowitz has had an incredible career. Durham graduated with honors from Colgate University in 1972 and received his law degree in 1975 from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He was also a VISTA volunteer for two years on a Montana Indian reservation.
The appointment should satisfy critics who have demanded a full investigation into the origins of the investigation and the role of the Steele Dossier in the early decisions. Frankly, I believe that, at this point, the public interest is best satisfied with the maximum level of transparency. That means Trump dropping his executive privilege arguments and the Justice Department fully investigating both sides of the matter. My concern is only that I fail to understand why the Huber and IG investigations were not sufficient.
What do you think?