The attorney general had had suspicions that either the CIA or foreign intelligence was involved in monitoring the Trump campaign before the official start of the FBI's investigation, the Journal reported. But he said he hasn't seen "any sign of improper CIA activity" or any foreign government activity that occurred before the FBI began its probe in July 2016. The DOJ's watchdog report also rebutted President Donald Trump's claims that the FBI illegally spied on his campaign. Barr, however, disputed the DOJ inspector general's findings and has continued to rail against the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane probe, accusing the agency of using thin suspicions to launch an "intrusive investigation." The FBI's use "of confidential human sources and wiretapping to investigate people connected to a campaign was outrageous," Barr told the Journal.

Source: CNN December 19, 2020 21:11 UTC