Attorney General William Barr said there will be a "development" in U.S. Attorney John Durham's criminal inquiry into the Russia investigation on Friday. Barr, who made the announcement Thursday evening during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, stressed it won't be an "earth-shattering development," but an "indication that things are moving along at the proper pace as dictated by the facts in this investigation." Barr appointed Durham more than a year ago to review the origins of the Russia investigation and the federal law enforcement and intelligence officials who participated in it. He acknowledged that the coronavirus pandemic slowed down its progress but told Hannity he is "satisfied" with the progress made by the federal prosecutor.
Democrats, some Justice Department veterans, and legal experts have raised concerns about the public release of Durham's findings or indictments less than 90 days from the election, warning of a possible "October Surprise." Under questioning late last month by Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Florida Democrat, Barr refused to commit under oath to not releasing a report before the November contest and pledged it would not "disrupt" the election. Timing is also a mounting concern for the president's allies who fear the federal prosecutor's work will get buried should former Vice President Joe Biden defeat President Trump.
Attorney General William Barr said there will be a "development" in U.S. Attorney John Durham's criminal inquiry into the Russia investigation on Friday. Barr, who made the announcement Thursday evening during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, stressed it won't be an "earth-shattering development," but an "indication that things are moving along at the proper pace as dictated by the facts in this investigation." Barr appointed Durham more than a year ago to review the origins of the Russia investigation and the federal law enforcement and intelligence officials who participated in it. He acknowledged that the coronavirus pandemic slowed down its progress but told Hannity he is "satisfied" with the progress made by the federal prosecutor.
Democrats, some Justice Department veterans, and legal experts have raised concerns about the public release of Durham's findings or indictments less than 90 days from the election, warning of a possible "October Surprise." Under questioning late last month by Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Florida Democrat, Barr refused to commit under oath to not releasing a report before the November contest and pledged it would not "disrupt" the election. Timing is also a mounting concern for the president's allies who fear the federal prosecutor's work will get buried should former Vice President Joe Biden defeat President Trump.