Former Attorney General William Barr has reacted to special counsel John Durham's report on the Trump-Russia probe, which marked the conclusion of the investigation that Barr himself initiated during the Trump administration. 'I think the real story here, from the FBI's perspective, is what an abomination this was, this so-called investigation,' said Barr of the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane probe into Donald Trump 's 2016 presidential campaign, in a Fox News interview on Tuesday. 'You know, if it wasn't a witch-hunt, it's a [expletive] good imitation of one,' added Barr, who in April 2019 first tasked Durham with investigating the origins of the FBI probe, as well as special counsel Robert Mueller's subsequent investigation.

Trump’s former AG Bill Barr slams FBI over ‘abomination’ probe into Trump-Russia collusion – but says he STILL doesn’t think ‘vindicated’ ex-president will win 2024 GOP nomination

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Former Attorney General William Barr has reacted to special counsel John Durham's report on the Trump-Russia probe, which marked the conclusion of the investigation that Barr himself initiated during the Trump administration. 'I think the real story here, from the FBI's perspective, is what an abomination this was, this so-called investigation,' said Barr of the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane probe into Donald Trump 's 2016 presidential campaign, in a Fox News interview on Tuesday. 'You know, if it wasn't a witch-hunt, it's a [expletive] good imitation of one,' added Barr, who in April 2019 first tasked Durham with investigating the origins of the FBI probe, as well as special counsel Robert Mueller's subsequent investigation.

Former Attorney General William Barr has reacted to special counsel John Durham’s report on the Trump-Russia probe, which marked the conclusion of the investigation that Barr himself initiated during the Trump administration. ‘I think the real story here, from the FBI’s perspective, is what an abomination this was, this so-called investigation,’ said Barr of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane probe into Donald Trump ‘s 2016 presidential campaign, in a Fox News interview on Tuesday. ‘You know, if it wasn’t a witch-hunt, it’s a [expletive] good imitation of one,’ added Barr, who in April 2019 first tasked Durham with investigating the origins of the FBI probe, as well as special counsel Robert Mueller’s subsequent investigation.

Barr, who has previously expressed strong opposition to Trump's bid to retake the White House in 2024, doubled down on those criticisms, but agreed that Durham's findings supported Trump's longstanding harsh criticisms of Crossfire Hurricane. 'I'm not supporting him for re-nomination, but he was right on this and this is a vindication. He had it right from the beginning,' said Barr. 'I think it helps him in the short-term. My own view is that he will not win the nomination,' the former Trump cabinet member added. 'I have nothing personal against him and there is no, you know -- I have no antipathy toward him at all. But I just don't think he is the right leader for the Republican party going forward. I think people who want to restore America should look for a big victory that brings strength into the Congress, and allows us to achieve some fundamental changes, and I don't think he is capable of delivering that kind of victory,' Barr continued.

Barr, who has previously expressed strong opposition to Trump’s bid to retake the White House in 2024, doubled down on those criticisms, but agreed that Durham’s findings supported Trump’s longstanding harsh criticisms of Crossfire Hurricane. ‘I’m not supporting him for re-nomination, but he was right on this and this is a vindication. He had it right from the beginning,’ said Barr. ‘I think it helps him in the short-term. My own view is that he will not win the nomination,’ the former Trump cabinet member added. ‘I have nothing personal against him and there is no, you know — I have no antipathy toward him at all. But I just don’t think he is the right leader for the Republican party going forward. I think people who want to restore America should look for a big victory that brings strength into the Congress, and allows us to achieve some fundamental changes, and I don’t think he is capable of delivering that kind of victory,’ Barr continued.

Barr said he believes Trump 'has the best chance of losing' to President Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term, adding: 'Even if he won, my concern is that he would wipe out Republicans in the Congress because of the vast turnout that would occur just to vote against him. He was very good at stopping the progressive march back in 2016, but I don't think he has the skills of, you know, unifying the party and persuading people on a particular program and getting it done through Congress.' Trump is the strong early frontrunner in the GOP's 2024 presidential primary, though a number of candidates who are widely expected to enter the race have yet to declare. Durham's report, released on Monday, found the Department of Justice and FBI 'failed to uphold their mission of strict fidelity to the law.'

Barr said he believes Trump ‘has the best chance of losing’ to President Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term, adding: ‘Even if he won, my concern is that he would wipe out Republicans in the Congress because of the vast turnout that would occur just to vote against him. He was very good at stopping the progressive march back in 2016, but I don’t think he has the skills of, you know, unifying the party and persuading people on a particular program and getting it done through Congress.’ Trump is the strong early frontrunner in the GOP’s 2024 presidential primary, though a number of candidates who are widely expected to enter the race have yet to declare. Durham’s report, released on Monday, found the Department of Justice and FBI ‘failed to uphold their mission of strict fidelity to the law.’

It comes after his years-long investigation into the origins of the FBI's original investigation, known as 'Crossfire Hurricane.' Investigators were looking into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election. But the special counsel said senior FBI personnel showed 'a serious lack of analytical rigor' and a 'significant reliance on investigative leads provided or funded (directly or indirectly) by Trump's political opponents.' In a statement, the FBI said the current leadership of the bureau has implemented dozens of corrective actions. 'Had those reforms been in place in 2016, the missteps identified in the report could have been prevented,' the FBI said in a statement.

It comes after his years-long investigation into the origins of the FBI’s original investigation, known as ‘Crossfire Hurricane.’ Investigators were looking into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election. But the special counsel said senior FBI personnel showed ‘a serious lack of analytical rigor’ and a ‘significant reliance on investigative leads provided or funded (directly or indirectly) by Trump’s political opponents.’ In a statement, the FBI said the current leadership of the bureau has implemented dozens of corrective actions. ‘Had those reforms been in place in 2016, the missteps identified in the report could have been prevented,’ the FBI said in a statement.

In a televised interview on Tuesday night, Trump also responded to the Durham report, saying the findings vindicate his claims of baseless persecution. 'It's a great vindication and it feels good, and the report has been widely praised,' Trump told Newsmax in a phone interview. 'All of these people are -- I guess you could call it treason. You could call it a lot of different things. But this should never be allowed to happen in our country again,' added Trump. Trump also welcomed the Durham report in a post on his Truth Social platform. 'WOW! After extensive research, Special Counsel John Durham concludes the FBI never should have launched the Trump-Russia Probe!' Trump said. 'In other words, the American Public was scammed, just as it is being scammed right now by those who don't want to see GREATNESS for AMERICA!' he added, apparently referring to the multiple ongoing criminal investigations targeting him. Read the full story:

In a televised interview on Tuesday night, Trump also responded to the Durham report, saying the findings vindicate his claims of baseless persecution. ‘It’s a great vindication and it feels good, and the report has been widely praised,’ Trump told Newsmax in a phone interview. ‘All of these people are — I guess you could call it treason. You could call it a lot of different things. But this should never be allowed to happen in our country again,’ added Trump. Trump also welcomed the Durham report in a post on his Truth Social platform. ‘WOW! After extensive research, Special Counsel John Durham concludes the FBI never should have launched the Trump-Russia Probe!’ Trump said. ‘In other words, the American Public was scammed, just as it is being scammed right now by those who don’t want to see GREATNESS for AMERICA!’ he added, apparently referring to the multiple ongoing criminal investigations targeting him. Read the full story:

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