A criminal investigation opened into the genesis of the Russian investigation

 A criminal investigation opened into the genesis of the Russian investigation

(Washington) The US Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into how the investigation was launched into Moscow's interference in the 2016 presidential election, which poisoned the entire first half of Donald Trump's tenure, reports the New York Times Thursday.

A previously administrative investigation, overseen by Justice Secretary Bill Barr, has turned into a criminal investigation, the daily writes, relying on two sources familiar with the matter. This change allows, among other things, prosecutor John Durham, who is in charge of it, to call witnesses and issue injunctions to recover documents.

The Justice Department is thus in the unusual position of investigating itself, the New York Times notes.

The Wall Street Journal as well as NBC News also confirmed this information.

It risks attracting criticism that Donald Trump is using the Justice Department as a weapon against his opponents.

The US president has repeatedly called for an investigation into the origins of the Russian investigation, according to him a "witch hunt" launched by his political opponents. He has in the past said the investigation was started "illegally".

In July 2016, the FBI opened an investigation into Moscow's interference in the presidential campaign before taking an interest in contacts between the entourage of the Republican candidate and Russia.

Special prosecutor Robert Mueller was appointed in May 2017 to examine the suspicions against the president. Last spring, after 22 months of investigation, he released a nearly 450-page report exonerating Mr. Trump of suspicion of collusion with Moscow, but describing a dozen pressures exerted by the Republican president on the investigation.

Shortly after the report was delivered, Justice Secretary Bill Barr revealed that he was seeking "to collect all the information" available on "the origins and conduct of the intelligence activities against the Trump campaign in 2016".

“I think espionage took place. The question is whether this was justified. I'm not saying it wasn't, but I have to check, "Barr said at a Senate hearing in early April.