President Trump orders declassification of documents investigating allegations of collusion with Russia
US President Donald Trump has directed the Justice Department to immediately release more information related to the investigation into suspected Russian interference in the 2016 election campaign.
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| Mr. Andrew McCabe and Mr. James Comey. Photo: Reuters |
The order marks the latest effort by the US president to pressure the Justice Department, which is being accused by Mr. Trump and Republican politicians of deliberately “throwing dirty water” on the Trump administration when promoting an investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election campaign two years ago.
Among the documents President Trump wants declassified are 20 pages from the investigation of former campaign adviser Carter Page, who was responsible for leading his foreign policy before he was elected.
The US leader also ordered the FBI to make public FBI documents related to the surveillance and investigation of Mr. Page, according to Reuters on September 18, quoting White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders.
In addition, President Trump directed the Justice Department to release all text messages related to the investigation of former FBI Director James Comey, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and other officials, including Special Agent Peter Strzok.
The US President fired Mr. Comey in May 2017, then Mr. McCabe was fired by Attorney General Jeff Sessions two days before his retirement in March 2018.
It is unclear what the above documents will reveal to the public after being declassified.
