The Horowitz Report Executive Summary – Review of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation

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The Horowitz Report Executive Summary – Review of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation

On December 9, 2019, U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a 478-page report titled, “Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation.” This report identified at least 17 significant errors or omissions in the Carter Page FISA applications. It also found no evidence that political bias or improper motivations influenced the FBI’s decision to use confidential sources or undercover employees to interact with Trump campaign officials in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. This episode provides the 19-page executive summary of the full report.

Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation (2:31)

  • Background (2:40)
  • OIG Methodology (4:58)
  • The Opening of Crossfire Hurricane and Four Related Investigations, and Early Investigative Steps (7:52)
    • The Opening of Crossfire Hurricane and Four Individual Cases (7:59)
    • Sensitive Investigative Matter Designation (18:17)
    • Early Investigative Steps and Adherence to the Least Intrusive Method (19:44)
  • The FBI’s Relationship with Christopher Steele, and Its Receipt and Evaluation of His Election Reporting before the First FISA Application (24:45)
    • FBI’s Efforts to Evaluate the Steele Reporting (27:39)
  • The First Application for FISA Authority on Carter Page (30:15)
    • Decision to Seek FISA Authority (30:59)
    • Preparation and Review Process (32:50)
    • Role of Steele Election Reporting in the First Application (35:52)
    • Relevant Information Inaccurately Stated, Omitted, or Undocumented in the First Application (40:59)
  • FBI Activities After the First FISA Application and FBI Efforts to Assess Steele’s Election Reporting (48:57)
  • The Three Renewal Applications for Continued FISA Authority on Carter Page (53:57)
  • Conclusions Concerning All Four FISA Applications (1:04:53)
  • Issues Relating to Department Attorney Bruce Ohr (1:09:47)
    • Ohr’s Interactions with Steele, the FBI, Simpson, and the State Department (1:10:19)
    • FBI Compliance with Policies (1:13:48)
    • Ethics Issues Raised by Nellie Ohr’s Former Employment with Fusion GPS (1:15:52)
    • Meetings Involving Ohr, Criminal Division officials, and the FBI Regarding the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section Investigation (1:17:02)
  • The Use of Confidential Sources (Other Than Steele) and Undercover Employees (1:21:13)
  • Recommendations (1:31:34)

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