In a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Special Counsel John Durham disclosed that the FBI disregarded CIA intelligence from 2016 suggesting Hillary Clinton's approval of a strategy connecting then-candidate Donald Trump with Russia. Durham's testimony, his first public appearance before the committee, follows his recent report concluding that the Justice Department and FBI's Trump-Russia investigation lacked sufficient basis.

Durham criticized the FBI's failure to thoroughly examine received information and its inconsistent application of standards to allegations concerning the Clinton and Trump campaigns. He highlighted the FBI's reliance on politically funded and unverified opposition research, like the Steele dossier, even with knowledge of its potential political origins.

Durham revealed that top officials, including the President, FBI, and CIA directors, were briefed on the intelligence suggesting a Clinton campaign plan to link Trump to Russia, yet the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane team, investigating potential Trump-Russia collusion, was unaware of this intelligence. He recounted an interview with the investigation's initial supervisor, who became visibly upset upon learning about this withheld information.

Durham detailed how then-CIA Director John Brennan, recognizing the intelligence's importance, promptly briefed President Obama, Vice President Biden, and other high-ranking national security officials. While the CIA duly forwarded the information to FBI Director James Comey and a deputy assistant director, no action resulted from the briefing or referral.

Durham's report criticizes the FBI's failure to heed a clear warning sign of potential manipulation for political motives during the 2016 election. He emphasized that regardless of the Clinton plan intelligence's veracity, it should have prompted more thorough FBI analysis and greater caution in handling partisan materials.

Durham defended his investigation against accusations of partisan bias, asserting its focus on legal and policy violations in significant investigations targeting a presidential campaign and administration. He stressed the importance of applying the law equally to all. While Democrats criticized Durham and questioned his reputation, he expressed confidence in his standing with those he respects, his family, and his faith.