Bondi Grand Jury Advances On Obama Officials Over 2016 Russia Report

The Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether senior FBI officials mishandled classified materials from the bureau’s 2016 Russia probe, Crossfire Hurricane. CBS News reports that sensitive documents were found inside “burn bags” at FBI headquarters, which are normally used to destroy such files.

These records relate to the FBI’s investigation into potential ties between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia. The discovery has raised questions about the handling and concealment of critical documents during the probe.

FBI Director Kash Patel recently revealed that thousands of files were found in the burn bags, suggesting intentional concealment. On X, he wrote that they uncovered a “burn bags/room filled with hidden Russia Gate files.”

The Crossfire Hurricane investigation, which began during the 2016 campaign and continued into Trump’s presidency, has long been politically contentious. Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russia interfered to benefit Trump but did not charge him or his campaign with criminal coordination.

The new findings have reignited debate over the probe’s legitimacy. Last month, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents she claimed contradicted a 2017 intelligence report, accusing Obama-era officials of a “treasonous conspiracy,” though Obama’s spokesperson dismissed the claims as “bizarre” and “ridiculous.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi has authorized prosecutors to consider charges against former officials, with the case potentially going before a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida—a jurisdiction seen as favorable to Trump. Judge Jason A. Reding Quiñones’ recent confirmation as U.S. Attorney there adds to speculation about the case’s trajectory.

The inquiry represents the most forceful legal challenge to the 2017 findings, aligning with Trump’s claim that the Russia investigation was a politically motivated “hoax.” The discovery of the burn bags has fueled efforts by Trump and allies to revisit the events of the 2016 election, highlighting ongoing political and legal tensions.