Attorney General William P. Barr has repeatedly described investigative efforts to understand the nature of links between Russia and the Trump campaign as “spying.” © Doug Mills/The New York Times
New York Times: Potential Clash Over Secrets Looms Between Justice Dept. and C.I.A.
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s order allowing Attorney General William P. Barr to declassify any intelligence that led to the Russia investigation sets up a potential confrontation with the C.I.A. It effectively strips the agency of its most critical power: choosing which secrets it shares and which ones remain hidden.
Mr. Trump said on Friday that he wanted Mr. Barr to “get to the bottom” of what the intelligence agencies knew about the investigation into his campaign. He promised, “We’re exposing everything.”
The president raised questions about C.I.A. involvement in the origins of the Russia investigation, and other officials said Mr. Barr wanted to learn more about sources in Russia, including a key informant who helped the C.I.A. conclude that President Vladimir V. Putin ordered the intrusion on the 2016 election. Mr. Trump also invoked two close allies, Australia and Britain, telling reporters he wanted the attorney general to examine their roles in sharing intelligence about Russia’s interference.
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WNU Editor: Russia-Gate occupied the U.S. media and political landscape for two years. If the CIA played a role in this entire affair, they should permit the Justice Department to declassify all relevant information. My prediction. If President Trump wants it declassified, they will.