Fact Check: "Hillary Clinton's campaign created a bogus Russia collusion narrative against Trump"
What We Know
The claim that "Hillary Clinton's campaign created a bogus Russia collusion narrative against Trump" primarily stems from assertions made by political figures, notably Rep. Devin Nunes, who suggested that the Clinton campaign colluded with Russians to fabricate allegations against Trump to instigate an FBI investigation (source-2). The investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 election revealed that the Trump campaign had multiple contacts with Russian officials, which were documented in a dossier compiled by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence officer. This dossier was commissioned by Fusion GPS, a research firm hired by the Clinton campaign through the law firm Perkins Coie (source-2).
The FBI utilized Steele's findings to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant to surveil Carter Page, a former Trump campaign adviser, which was part of a broader investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives (source-3). The investigation, however, faced significant criticism, particularly from the Durham report, which characterized the FBI's actions as flawed and rushed, lacking a solid basis for the investigation (source-3).
Analysis
The assertion that Clinton's campaign "created a bogus Russia collusion narrative" simplifies a complex situation. While it is true that the Clinton campaign sought opposition research on Trump, which included hiring a firm that produced the Steele dossier, the narrative that this was a coordinated effort to fabricate a collusion story is more contentious. The dossier included information from Russian sources, but it is crucial to note that the FBI's investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia was based on a variety of intelligence and not solely on the Steele dossier (source-2).
Critics of the investigation, including the Durham report, highlighted significant flaws in the FBI's methodology and decision-making processes, suggesting that the investigation was politically motivated and lacked sufficient evidence to justify its scope (source-3). However, the existence of Russian interference in the election is well-documented, with U.S. intelligence agencies confirming that Russia aimed to undermine Clinton's campaign while supporting Trump (source-2).
The reliability of sources discussing this narrative varies. The Durham report, while critical of the FBI, is seen as politically charged, given its origins in a politically appointed special counsel. Conversely, mainstream media outlets and intelligence assessments provide a broader context that supports the existence of Russian interference, albeit with varying interpretations of the implications for Clinton's actions (source-3).
Conclusion
The claim that "Hillary Clinton's campaign created a bogus Russia collusion narrative against Trump" is Partially True. While the Clinton campaign did engage in opposition research that included the Steele dossier, which was later used by the FBI, the assertion that this was a deliberate fabrication to mislead the FBI lacks definitive evidence. The investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia was based on a combination of intelligence and allegations, some of which were substantiated, while others were flawed. Thus, the narrative is overly simplistic and does not fully capture the complexities of the situation.
Sources
- GANG THAT INVENTED THE RUSSIA HOAX IS BEHIND ...
- Did Hillary Clinton collude with the Russians to get ‘dirt ...
- Durham report takeaways: A 'seriously flawed' Russia ...
- Russia investigation origins conspiracy theory
- Donald Trump sues Hillary Clinton over Russian collusion ...
- Issues: Russia investigation
- Hillary Clinton personally approved plan to share Trump ...
- Partisan Claims of 'Russia Hoax' Revived Ahead of 2020 ...
