The verdict is the latest setback for the Trump-appointed special counsel’s investigation into the FBI and Russia inquiry.
Special Counsel John Durham’s probe into the origins of the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation suffered another high-profile blow Tuesday, but his disciples see a silver lining in the veteran prosecutor’s checkered courtroom record.
After about nine hours of deliberations, a federal jury acquitted Russian policy researcher Igor Danchenko on Tuesday on four felony false-statement charges brought as part of Durham’s probe of misinformation that triggered the FBI probe of former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Simply put, federal prosecutors are not used to losing. So, Durham’s defeat at the Danchenko trial — which came less than five months after a similar acquittal in another case brought by the special prosecutor — represents an unmistakable defeat.
However, Durham and his aides used the forum of the recent trials to air evidence of what they suggested was a failure by FBI personnel to pursue leads as they probed the sourcing of the Steele dossier, a compendium of allegations former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele assembled about links between Trump and Russia. Danchenko was Steele’s key source when compiling the dossier.
Durham’s open criticism of the FBI produced an unusual spectacle at the trial, as he and his team attacked the competence of FBI agents and analysts who were the prosecution’s key witnesses. The back-and-forth led to disclosures about senior investigators’ refusal to pursue inquiries that more junior FBI personnel thought were warranted, as well as ongoing efforts to discipline FBI personnel over issues related to the Trump-Russia investigation.
Durham could offer more disclosures in a forthcoming report, but the back-to-back courtroom defeats suggest he and his aides misjudged those cases and committed some of the same investigative gaffes they’ve decried in the original probe.
Danchenko managed to defeat the charges against him even though he declined to take the stand in his own defense and called no witnesses during the trial. His attorneys suggested to the jury that he was the victim of a politically inspired prosecution by Durham, who was tapped in 2019 by then-Attorney General William Barr to look into how the Trump-Russia probe began and played out.
The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for about nine hours over two days before returning their verdicts.
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A federal jury has acquitted Russian policy researcher Igor Danchenko on false-statement charges — another defeat for the investigation into the origins of the FBI probe of ties between Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia.https://t.co/BzbDmza4ay
— POLITICO (@politico) October 18, 2022Durham's had his final fun
At Bill Barr's request
Anons, both Q and other sorts
Still won't let it rest— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) October 18, 2022
Along the lines of the late Sec. Raymond Donovan's famous question—"Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?"—I'd like to ask, where do we taxpayers go to get our money back for Durham's frivolous, ridiculous, and politically motivated frolic and detour? https://t.co/2g8k29EhkN
— George Conway🌻 (@gtconway3d) October 18, 2022
MAGA world hardest hit. HOW many "Wait until Durham gets you" tweets from idiots.
This prosecution is a wet fat on a hot day. https://t.co/IlstGACfMn
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) October 18, 2022
Shocker https://t.co/OzLFOh0CDj
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 19, 2022
Poor John Durham.
Leads investigation into CIA's destruction of interrogation tapes. Brings no charges.
Leads investigation into CIA enhanced interrogation techniques. Brings no charges.
Leads the "make Trump feel better" investigation. Gets laughed out of court twice.
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) October 18, 2022
Look on the bright side: Without Durham to worry about any longer, you're now free to devote more time to putting the former guy in serious legal jeopardy! https://t.co/MsiOq0g5Hw
— George Conway🌻 (@gtconway3d) October 20, 2022
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