President Trump Orders Immediate Declassification of FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Files
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a presidential memorandum ordering the immediate declassification of all FBI files relating to the controversial Crossfire Hurricane investigation.
White House advisor William Scharf presented the memorandum to President Trump, who signed it, fulfilling a longstanding promise to ensure transparency regarding one of the most significant political controversies in recent U.S. history.
Background of the Crossfire Hurricane Investigation
In July 2016, the FBI, led by Special Agent Peter Strzok, initiated a counterintelligence investigation called “Crossfire Hurricane” into then-candidate Trump’s presidential campaign. The investigation was predicated on allegations—later revealed to lack verified evidence—that the Russian government had infiltrated Trump’s inner circle to establish relations in anticipation of a Trump presidency.
Despite prolonged resistance from the Department of Justice and FBI, the key document known as the “electronic communication” (EC), which sparked the investigation, was eventually obtained by Judicial Watch through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit. Initially heavily redacted, the EC authored by Strzok indicated the investigation was based on third-hand information, lacking direct or credible evidence.
Durham Report Findings
In 2023, Special Counsel John Durham concluded in his extensive report that the FBI possessed no verified intelligence when it launched Crossfire Hurricane. The Durham Report further asserted significant misconduct within the FBI, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the entire investigation and implicating numerous high-level officials in procedural irregularities and potential abuses of authority.
The Infamous “Missing Binder”
President Trump previously authorized the declassification of a comprehensive binder on January 19, 2021, containing extensive documentation related to the Crossfire Hurricane scandal. This binder allegedly holds crucial evidence demonstrating coordinated efforts between senior Obama-era FBI and CIA officials to perpetuate the Russian collusion narrative against Trump.
In August 2022, the FBI controversially raided Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Sources close to the investigation revealed the primary motive behind this unprecedented action was to retrieve the highly sensitive and politically damaging binder.
This classified binder reportedly includes:
- Transcripts of intercepted communications involving Trump campaign officials.
- Tasking orders and intelligence debriefings of FBI informants, notably Christopher Steele and Stefan Halper.
- The final Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant approved by the intelligence court, which authorized surveillance of Trump associates.
- Extensive details concerning Fiona Hill’s involvement, particularly regarding her role in connecting Steele with the FBI.
Implications of Trump’s Declassification Order
Trump’s directive to fully declassify these materials represents a significant step toward transparency, potentially exposing the full extent of alleged misconduct by federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
This move is anticipated to shed light on the controversial investigation’s origins and could have profound political implications, particularly as the nation approaches upcoming elections. It also fulfills Trump’s commitment to addressing claims of governmental overreach and restoring public confidence in the integrity of federal institutions.
The FBI had consistently sought to keep these files sealed from public view. The latest order from President Trump now removes longstanding barriers, paving the way for public scrutiny into one of the most contentious chapters in recent American political history.
