Sen. Ron Johnson claims that John Durham’s special counsel probe has impeded Congress’ efforts to uncover FBI malfeasance and look into Hunter Biden’s dubious business practices (R-WI).
Durham’s investigation, which appears to be coming to an end as the prosecutor takes the alleged primary source for the now-famous dossier alleging ties between the former president Donald Trump and Russia to court this month, was blamed during a recent interview on Newsmax in which Johnson vented about a lack of successful prosecutions in Durham’s endeavor. The senator expressed his dissatisfaction, pointing out that attorney Michael Sussmann, who was exonerated in May, was never found guilty.
Johnson stated, “We had an ongoing criminal investigation under John Durham, which undoubtedly impeded our efforts in terms of investigating Hunter Biden and corruption inside the FBI.
This is consistent with what Johnson said in April on the “problem” of congressional investigators being “denied access” to information during Durham’s investigation. However, new details have slowly emerged in court.
Durham claimed Igor Danchenko, the Russian-born attorney accused with five counts of making false statements related to what he told the FBI about the dossier, was a paid confidential human source for the FBI in a key court filing made last month. Because of this, Johnson and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) asked for all FBI and Justice Department papers pertaining to government payments to Danchenko, counterintelligence concerns he raised, and the FBI’s choice to depend on him. Danchenko, who has entered a not guilty plea, will go on trial in Virginia on October 11.
The first part of the Newsmax interview with Johnson featured hosts Sean Spicer, Donald Trump’s first press secretary, and Lyndsay Keith talking about the numerous FBI informants who, according to Republican lawmakers, have come forward in recent months to raise concerns about politicization in the bureau. Johnson is one of those lawmakers, and he has also looked into Hunter Biden, the grown son of Joe Biden, and expressed worries about influence peddling.
Republicans are preparing for a wider investigation into the claims of FBI wrongdoing if they win control of at least one chamber in the November midterm elections, despite Johnson’s suggestion that Durham’s investigation, which is looking for misconduct in the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation and has already resulted in one conviction, poses a roadblock for congressional oversight.
Regarding Durham, Johnson stated that, “at a minimum,” he expects that whatever report the special counsel delivers to Attorney General Merrick Garland at the conclusion of his inquiry would be made public.
Johnson said that “the American people need to know the truth about the corruption that was taking place within the Department of Justice and the FBI.”
