A Durham Sighting?
The WSJ has an article out today that brings us--sort of--up to date on the Bull Durham investigation--or whatever it is he's doing--into the Russia Hoax. You can read the whole article here, courtesy of Mike Sylwester:
Durham Probe of What Sparked Russia Investigation Examines FBI Tipsters
The special counsel is expected to submit a final report in the coming months
Some explanation or translation is called for. "Russia Investigation" means "Crossfire Hurricane," which means the FBI's investigation of Donald Trump. "FBI Tipsters" means non-FBI persons who tried to instigate the FBI investigation of Trump--or, maybe, that means something like, people who provided the FBI with cover for their investigation. Hey, YMMV.
You can also read Techno Fog's commentary on this article:
Tracking the latest Durham Developments
WSJ Report: potential charges against several lower-level FBI employees
Here's the long and the short of it from the WSJ:
WASHINGTON—Special Counsel John Durham, appointed during the Trump administration to examine the origins of the FBI’s 2016 Russia probe, is presenting evidence to a grand jury and preparing a lengthy report expected to be completed in the coming months, according to people familiar with the matter.
Mr. Durham’s review, which began in May 2019, has led to one prosecution to date and has gone on longer than the two-year tenure of special counsel Robert Mueller, who in May 2017 took over the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Mr. Durham has been examining potential criminal charges against several lower-level FBI employees, and people who aren’t in government, according to people familiar with the matter. Mr. Durham was also expected to deliver a report by the end of this summer, though that target is likely to be pushed back, some of the people said.
The special counsel regulations required Mr. Durham to have reported on the status of the investigation and submitted a proposed budget by July 1 for the next fiscal year that begins in October. Attorney General Merrick Garland could then determine whether the investigation would continue and establish the budget.
A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to say whether Mr. Garland has decided to allow Mr. Durham’s probe to continue beyond September or approved a budget for the next fiscal year, citing a policy of not commenting on ongoing investigations. In May, the Justice Department disclosed that the Durham investigation had spent around $1.5 million between October 2020 and March.
It's pretty thin gruel, for my money. Durham has had plenty of time to do the job he was appointed to do. "Several lower-level FBI employees" doesn't excite me. "People who aren't in the government?" Based on the wording of the WSJ article, Techno Fog puts forward two names:
Christopher Steele--as if the Brits would turn him over to be put on trial in the US?
Igor Danchenko--another name that doesn't excite me.
My bottom line is that the Russia Hoax was the biggest political sabotage operation in US history, involving the Clinton Campaign, the Obama Administration, and elements of the Deep State--all at their highest levels. Fall guys don't do it for me--although I'd love to be forced to eat my words at this late date.
For additional perspective--especially regarding the whole Alfa Bank hoax, which Techno Fog does discuss--I suggest this article from shortly before the election:
A Glaring Hole in the Alfa Bank/Trump Server Story Could Unravel the Russia Hoax
It's a good way to refresh one's recollection and features references to fine investigative reporting by Lee Smith.