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FBI must do better to regain citizens’ trust

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been a long-respected entity in the U.S. government, although certainly not one free of taint. Think J. Edgar Hoover and his political ties/operations over the years. These included spying on Americans.

The ghost of those bad old days has risen its ugly head again, as recent events have proven. The latest was harsh criticism this week from the chief judge of a federal surveillance court, which has the power to issue warrants for domestic spying. The judge said the FBI used unsupported information to apply to eavesdrop on a former campaign adviser (Carter Page) to President Trump.

What did the FBI do?

It tried to utilize an “opposition research” file compiled by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence operative. His investigations into “ties” between Trump and Russia were funded by Democrats. The Steele file is bunk, and yet it helped set off the political witch hunt of Trump that became the Russia investigation under special counsel Robert Mueller.

The Justice Department’s inspector general had previously identified at least 17 significant “errors” or omissions during the application process to the court, including the altering of an email by an FBI lawyer. Later, the FBI withheld evidence that indicated Page was not a Russian asset.

The inspector general came to the conclusion that the FBI was not politically biased against Trump. But at the very least certain individuals at the FBI were. That is clear from their text messages.

We suggest citizens now keep an eye on the probe by federal prosecutor John Durham, which could be finishing up by spring. Law enforcement and intelligence officials are not likely to get off as easy as they did in the inspector general’s report.

What does it all mean in the end? That the FBI cannot be allowed to go rogue in order to target Americans, particularly presidential candidates, it does not like. They and the country should not have to suffer through this nonsense.

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