Washington, D.C., March 26
President Donald J. Trump has issued a memorandum directing the immediate declassification of materials related to the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation. The move, long anticipated by Trump and his allies, aims to provide full transparency into the FBI’s probe of alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election.
Details of the Declassification Order
The memorandum, addressed to the Attorney General, Director of National Intelligence, and Director of the CIA, states:
• All materials referenced in a previous January 19, 2021, Presidential Memorandum regarding Crossfire Hurricane are no longer classified, except for specific redactions requested by the FBI in a January 17, 2021, cover letter.
• Certain materials remain classified due to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) orders and protections for personally identifiable information or other legally restricted materials.
• The Attorney General is directed to make the declassified documents immediately available to the public.
A Long-Awaited Disclosure
The Crossfire Hurricane investigation, launched by the FBI in 2016, was aimed at examining possible Russian interference in the presidential election and any links to the Trump campaign. The probe led to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, which ultimately found no conclusive evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia.
Trump has long argued that the investigation was politically motivated, calling it a “witch hunt” and accusing the FBI and intelligence agencies of misconduct. The declassification of these materials is expected to shed new light on the origins of the investigation, the conduct of federal officials, and potential biases in the probe.
Implications and Reactions
• Trump allies have praised the move, calling it a victory for transparency and an opportunity to expose alleged political weaponization of federal agencies.
• Democrats and former intelligence officials warn that the release could compromise national security and reveal sensitive sources and methods.
• Legal experts note that while Trump has broad declassification powers as president, the handling of classified information remains subject to legal challenges.
With the Attorney General now responsible for making the documents public, the release of Crossfire Hurricane materials could have far-reaching political and legal consequences in the months ahead.
