Justice Department officials have shifted an administrative review of the Russia investigation overseen by Attorney General William Barr to a criminal inquiry, The New York Times reported Thursday night.
Citing unnamed sources, the Times reported the move gives lead prosecutor John Durham the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, impanel a grand jury and file criminal charges.
But it also could raise questions about whether President Donald Trump is using the Justice Department to go after political enemies— and create an unusual situation in which the Justice Department is doing a criminal investigation into itself, the Times reported.
It wasn't clear what potential crime Durham is investigating, nor when the criminal investigation was prompted, the Times reported.
As Durham’s investigation moves forward, the Justice Department inspector general, Michael Horowitz, is wrapping up his own inquiry into aspects of the FBI’s conduct in the early days of the Russia investigation
Barr hasn’t said if Durham’s investigation grew out of the inspector general’s findings — of something prosecutors dug up while doing interviews or reviewing documents.
The inspector general’s findings, which are expected to be made public in coming weeks, could contribute to the public’s understanding of why Durham might want to investigate national security officials’ activities in 2016, the Times reported.
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