JUNE 9, 2021

CROSSFIRE HURRICANE

THE DURHAM
INVESTIGATION A timeline of the ongoing investigation
by special counsel John Durham into the
FBI’s probe of the Trump campaign
BY JEFF CARLSON & HANS MAHNCKE

GETTY IMAGES; JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

he Durham investigation into the origins of the Barr initially indicated that Durham’s work would be
Russia–Trump investigation has been active for completed by the summer of 2020, but as the presidential
more than two years. Appointed by Attorney election loomed, it became apparent that the results of
General William Barr following the completion the investigation wouldn’t be released until at least 2021.
of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, U.S. Just before the 2020 election, Barr appointed Durham
Attorney John Durham immediately began his work in as special counsel, a move designed to thwart potential
the spring of 2019. pushback from a new administration.
While news of Durham’s appointment received While interest and speculation continue to surround
significant attention, there have been concerns raised Durham’s investigation, few details have been made
about how thorough the investigation is, when it will be public. This timeline provides an overview of what we
concluded, and whether it will lead to prosecutions. know to date.

JAN. 15 JAN. 15 MARCH 22 MARCH 24 MARCH 25 (MORNING)

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Attorney General William Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) Special counsel Robert Barr issues his principal Mueller communicates
Barr, during his confirmation and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) Mueller concludes his conclusions regarding the concerns about the principal
hearing, promises to start send a letter to U.S. Attorney investigation into Mueller report, in a letter to conclusions to Barr—
investigating the FBI’s for Connecticut John allegations of collusion Congress. Barr writes that he probably by letter.
counterintelligence Durham regarding his leak between the Trump and Rosenstein jointly
investigation of President investigation of former FBI campaign and Russia and concluded that the evidence
Donald Trump. He promises General Counsel James sends his report to Deputy presented by Mueller didn’t
Senate Judiciary Chairman Baker. Attorney General Rod “establish that the President
Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) that Rosenstein, who gives it committed an obstruction-
he will examine the to Barr. of-justice offense.”
investigation and, on the
same issue, tells Sen. John
Kennedy (R-La.) that “the
best policy is
to allow light to shine in.”

MARCH 25 (AFTERNOON) MARCH 27 APRIL 9 APRIL 9 APRIL 12

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Barr meets with Durham. Mueller sends Barr a follow- Barr testifies to Congress Bloomberg reports that A senior Barr aide arranges
This is likely the point of up to the March 25 letter, that he is reviewing the “Attorney General William for Durham to meet Justice
establishment for Durham’s and the two later speak FBI’s Russia–Trump Barr has assembled a team Department Inspector
investigation of the FBI’s by phone. investigation. “I am to review controversial General Michael Horowitz,
Crossfire Hurricane reviewing the conduct of the counterintelligence according to documents first
investigation. investigation and trying to decisions made by Justice reported on by CNN.
get my arms around the Department and FBI According to the report, Barr
aspects of the officials, including actions met with Durham at least
counterintelligence taken during the probe of twice more in April 2019.
investigation that was the Trump campaign in the
conducted in the summer of summer of 2016, according
2016,” Barr tells lawmakers. to a person familiar with
the matter.”

APRIL 18 MAY 3 MAY 13 MAY 14 MAY 23

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A redacted version of the Chairman of the House The New York Times reports Fox News reports that “the Trump grants
Mueller report is released Intelligence Committee that Barr tasked Durham U.S. attorney appointed to declassification authority to
publicly. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) sends with looking into the Russia examine the origins of the Barr, who had requested it.
a letter regarding Maltese probe’s origins. Note that Russia investigation has
professor Josef Mifsud to Durham is already been working on his review
various heads of the investigating leaks from FBI ‘for weeks.’”
intelligence community. General Counsel Baker.
Mueller had characterized
Mifsud as being affiliated
with Russian intelligence.
Nunes offers evidence that
Mifsud had ties to Western
intelligence.

MAY 28 MAY 29 MAY 31 JUNE 12 SUMMER 2019

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The Australian government Mueller holds a press Barr confirms in an interview The New York Times reports Barr meets with UK officials
offers to help Barr with his conference, where he makes with CBS that U.S. Attorney that Durham intends to “talk in London regarding
investigation into the a formal statement on not John Huber’s investigation with at least one senior intelligence that had been
origins of the FBI’s Russia reaching a decision on into the origins of the FBI’s counterintelligence official gathered overseas in
probe. “While Australia’s obstruction. Following the investigation of the Trump and a senior C.I.A. analyst.” advance of the FBI’s
former high commissioner general confusion generated campaign, initiated by opening of their Russia–
to the UK, Alexander by the press conference, the former Attorney General Jeff Trump probe.
Downer, is no longer Justice Department (DOJ) Sessions, has been placed
employed by the and the special counsel’s on hold as DOJ Inspector
Government, we stand ready office release a clarifying General David Horowitz
to provide you with all joint statement. works on his FISA abuse
relevant information to report. Barr also notes that
support your inquiries,” Durham is now taking over
according to a letter by parts of Huber’s Investigation.
Australian Ambassador to
the U.S. Joe Hockey.

JULY 17 SEPT. 24 SEPT. 24 SEPT. 25 SEPT. 25

The DOJ issues a statement

on Trump’s call with the
Ukrainian president. The
DOJ statement also notes
that “Durham is separately
exploring the extent to
which a number of
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countries, including Ukraine,
Mueller testifies before the Fox News reports that Barr texts Durham asking The White House releases a played a role in the
House Judiciary and Durham has assumed parts that Durham call him transcript of Trump’s second counterintelligence
Intelligence committees of the Huber investigation “ASAP.” Two hours later, call with Ukrainian President investigation directed at the
regarding his special into the Clinton Foundation. Durham asks for a second Volodymyr Zelensky, which Trump campaign” and notes
counsel investigation. “quick call.” took place on July 25, 2019. that “certain Ukrainians who
The White House would are not members of the
later release the transcript government have
of Trump’s first call, on Nov. volunteered information to
15, 2019. Mr. Durham, which he is
evaluating.”

SEPT. 27 SEPT. 30 SEPT. 30 SEPT. 30 OCTOBER

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Durham travels with Barr to The DOJ appears to confirm The New York Times reports The Washington Post Durham reportedly
Italy to meet with Italian the Barr–Durham Italy visit that Trump contacted the reports that “Barr personally interviews Downer and
intelligence officials to “find in a statement. “Mr. Durham Australian prime minister at asked foreign officials to aid another Australian diplomat,
out whether Italy had played is gathering information from Barr’s request to ask for inquiry into CIA, FBI Erika Thompson, in London.
a role in the so-called numerous sources, including cooperation and assistance activities in 2016.” The Durham reportedly reviews
Russiagate affair, whether a number of foreign with Durham’s investigation. article references the UK, Downer’s communication to
secret documents had been countries. At Attorney An article by The Italy, and Australia and the U.S. Embassy regarding
obtained and, in particular, General Barr’s request, the Washington Post appears to confirms reporting from The his meeting with George
to collate information on President has contacted confirm this. New York Times on the Papadopoulos. Leading
Joseph Mifsud.” Barr and other countries to ask them same day. newspaper The Australian
Durham reportedly have at to introduce the Attorney reports that Downer told
least two meetings with General and Mr. Durham to Durham that “he was not
Italian intelligence officials appropriate officials,” part of any conspiracy to
in which they listened to a department spokeswoman undermine Don-ald Trump’s
tape recording of a Kerri Kupec says in the Sept. election campaign.”
deposition given by Mifsud. 30 statement.

OCT. 2 OCT. 2 OCT. 3 OCT. 8 OCT. 15

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Former CIA Director John Sen. Graham sends a letter The Australian government It’s reported that Durham Lawyer Sidney Powell notes
Brennan tells MSNBC’s to the prime ministers of rejects Graham’s suggestion has expanded his in a legal filing that Mifsud’s
Nicolle Wallace that he Australia, Italy, and the UK that Downer had been investigation, “adding Blackberry phones have
expects to be interviewed asking for their cooperation “directed to contact” agents and resources,” and come into the government’s
by Durham. with Barr and the Papadopoulos. “In your “now has included a post- possession. She would later
investigation being letter you made mention of election timeline through clarify that Durham has
conducted by Durham. the role of an Australian the spring of 2017, up to possession
diplomat. We reject your when Robert Mueller was of them.
characterization of his role,” named special counsel,”
wrote Ambassador Hockey. according to Fox News.

OCT. 19 OCT. 19 OCT. 24 NOV. 15 DEC. 9

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The New York Times reports Media report that Durham is CNN reports that Durham’s The White House releases a IG Horowitz releases his
that Durham has interested in interviewing investigation has officially transcript of Trump’s first report on FISA abuse.
interviewed “about two both Brennan and former become a criminal call with Zelensky, which Horowitz states that his
dozen former and current Director of National investigation. The change in took place on April 21, 2019. office “did not find
F.B.I. officials” and the Intelligence James Clapper. investigative status “allows The transcript from Trump’s information in FBI or
“number of interviews Durham to use subpoenas to second call with the Department ECs, emails, or
shows that Mr. Durham’s compel testimony.” Ukrainian president had other documents, or through
review is further along than been previously released on witness testimony,
previously known.” The Sept. 25, 2019. indicating that any
paper also reports that information other than the
Durham’s efforts were being FFG information was relied
aided by “two former senior upon to predicate the
F.B.I. agents.” opening of the Crossfire
Hurricane investigation.”

DEC. 9 DEC. 10 JAN. 9 FEB. 5 FEB. 5

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Durham and Barr both issue Barr details problems with The Washington Post Trump is acquitted by the Barr issues a DOJ memo
formal statements in the FBI’s FISA applications reports that the Huber Senate regarding two requiring that no
response to Horowitz’s and the subsequent investigation has ended charges related to his investigation is to be
report. Durham’s statement surveillance of members of with “no tangible results.” contacts with Ukraine. opened on a presidential or
notes specific disagreement the Trump campaign, during vice presidential candidate
with the IG’s conclusions a Wall Street Journal CEO or senior campaign official
regarding the FBI’s opening Council conference. “It’s without his direct written
of their Crossfire Hurricane hard to look at this stuff and approval.
investigation, saying, “We do not think it was a gross
not agree with some abuse,” he says.
of the report’s conclusions
as to predication and how
the FBI case was opened.”

FEB. 13 APRIL 3 APRIL 9 APRIL 24 MAY 13

The New York Times reports

that Durham is investigating
news articles from early
2017 in regard to
intelligence community
leaks. One article being
reviewed is a Jan. 12, 2017,
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Washington Post article by SEAN GALLUP/GETTY IMAGES

It’s reported that Durham is Trump fires Intelligence Barr tells Fox News that he is David Ignatius that revealed Acting Director of National
investigating whether Community Inspector troubled by findings from Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn’s call Intelligence Richard Grenell
Obama’s CIA director, General Michael Atkinson, Durham’s probe. The attorney with Russian Ambassador to declassifies a list of
Brennan, stoked the FBI’s who had previously and general claims that what the U.S. Sergei Kislyak. In unmasking requests made
suspicions of Russia–Trump secretly changed happened to Trump “was one May 2021, the Post would by Obama officials—
collusion. whistleblower rules to of the greatest travesties in report that the DOJ had including Vice President Joe
accomodate an anti-Trump American history.” obtained the phone records Biden’s request to unmask
complaint. of three reporters. the identity of Lt. Gen. Flynn.

MAY 14 MAY 18 JUNE 21 JUNE 25 JUNE 30

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A DOJ spokesperson Barr notes that Durham’s Barr says that the Durham Barr tells Sen. Ted Cruz (R- Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.)
confirms that Durham is investigation is not focused investigation is progressing Texas) and podcaster submits a resolution calling
looking at unmasking as on Barack Obama or Joe rapidly. Michael Knowles that the for Barr to be impeached.
part of his broader Biden. FBI and the Justice House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
investigation. Department were at the (D-Calif.) and House
center of one of the largest Judiciary Committee
frauds and injustices in Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-
American history during the N.Y.) had previously noted
2016 election. that the impeachment effort
was a “waste of time.”

JULY 17 JULY 21 JULY 28 AUG. 19 AUG. 21

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Graham releases a redacted Durham petitions a British Barr tells the House Former FBI lawyer Kevin Brennan is interviewed
interview with Christopher court to compel Steele to Judiciary Committee that he Clinesmith pleads guilty to a by Durham for eight hours at
Steele’s primary sub-source, hand over notes of his won’t rule out a Durham false statement offense CIA headquarters. Brennan
revealing that the sub- meetings with the FBI in report in advance of the stemming from his altering claims he was told that he is
source disavowed most of July and October 2016. The 2020 presidential election. of evidence used to obtain a not a target of the
the information in Steele’s notes are thought to reveal FISA warrant to spy on investigation.
dossier. Internet sleuths whether FBI agents leaked Trump campaign associate
later identify the sub-source confidential information to Carter Page.
as Brookings Institution Steele.
alumnus Igor Danchenko.

AUG. 23 SEPT. 17 SEPT. 21 SEPT. 24 OCT. 14

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Former FBI Director James Former Mueller team The U.S. Attorney’s Office of Barr declassifies information The New York Post
Comey claims that he has member and FBI agent the Middle District of that shows that Steele publishes an explosive story
not been contacted by William Barnett tells Pennsylvania initiates a dossier primary sub-source that illustrates Joe Biden’s
Durham and that he can’t Durham’s investigators that limited pre-election Danchenko was the subject knowledge and potential
imagine being a target of the Russia–Trump collusion investigation regarding of an FBI counterintelligence involvement with his son
Durham’s investigation. investigation was a “dead mail-in ballots. Notably, no investigation Hunter Biden’s business
end” and that special such investigation is ever dealings, directly
counsel Robert Mueller was instigated by Barr. contradicting public claims
out to “get Trump.” made by the presidential
candidate. Barr’s DOJ is
investigating Hunter Biden
but refuses to disclose this
fact to the public ahead of
the election.

OCT. 19 NOV. 2 NOV. 3 NOV. 9 DEC. 1

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In anticipation of a Biden The Department of Justice All six of Steele’s alleged Barr issues a memo Barr asserts that he has not
election victory, Barr releases a copy of the sources deny providing instructing DOJ personnel to seen a level of fraud that
appoints Durham as special Mueller report with fewer information attributed to only pursue substantial would have altered the
counsel. This will not be redactions. them in his dossier. allegations of voting and outcome of the 2020
made public until Dec. 1, vote tabulation irregularities. presidential election. Barr’s
2020. claim is made while Trump
is pursuing legal remedies
regarding the election.

DEC. 3 DEC. 9 DEC. 14 DEC. 19 DEC. 21

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Durham asks the court to Hunter Biden confirms he is The Wall Street Journal Four days before resigning In his final press conference,
sentence Clinesmith to six under federal investigation. reports that in the weeks as attorney general, Barr Barr claims that there is no
months in prison. The former leading up to the election, contends that he didn’t “see reason to appoint a special
FBI lawyer had altered Barr “instructed prosecutors any sign of improper CIA counsel in the Hunter Biden
evidence in the Carter Page and senior colleagues to activity” or “foreign matter.
FISA application. prevent word of government activity before
investigations into Hunter July 2016.” Barr also
Biden from becoming public claims that “the CIA stayed
and keep the Justice in its lane.”
Department out of
campaign politics.”

DEC. 31 JAN. 29 FEB. 22 FEB. 26 MARCH 30

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Durham issues a subpoena Clinesmith is sentenced to Incoming Attorney General Durham announces his It’s reported that Durham is
for the Brookings 12 months probation for Merrick Garland tells the resignation as U.S. attorney using grand jury subpoenas
Institution’s records on its altering evidence in the Senate Judiciary Committee but stays on as special to gather evidence, with a
former staff member Carter Page FISA that he has “no reason to counsel. focus on FBI personnel.
Danchenko, the primary application. The sentence is think [Durham] should not Reports indicate that
sub-source for the Steele viewed by some as remain in place.” Durham “hasn’t found
dossier. Danchenko extremely light. wrongdoing by Obama-era
responds by welcoming the intelligence officials
review of his Brookings file. involved who were outside
of the FBI.”