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A sub-source used to compile the so-called Steele Dossier, a controversial opposition research document against then-candidate Donald Trump
Donald TrumpSacha Baron Cohen calls out 'danger of lies, hate and conspiracies' in Golden Globes speech Sorkin uses Abbie Hoffman quote to condemn Capitol violence: Democracy is 'something you do' Ex-Trump aide Pierson planning run for Congress MORE, was previously the subject of an FBI counterintelligence investigation, Attorney General William Barr disclosed in a letter released on Thursday.

The detail was previously redacted from a footnote in Justice Department inspector general Michael Horowitz's 2019 report on four Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court warrant applications.

Durham allowing the detail to be publicly released is a signal that he is unlikely to be planning criminal indictments related to this part of his investigation.
The declassified footnote states that the "primary sub-source was the subject of an FBI counterintelligence investigation from 2009 to 2011 that assessed his/her documented contacts with suspected Russian counterintelligence officers."
A two-page document compiled by the FBI and Barr and sent to Graham along with the declassified footnote adds that the investigation was opened "based on information by the FBI indicating that the Primary Sub-source may be a threat to national security." The investigation was closed in 2011 and not reopened.
The letter to Graham comes as Trump and his allies have lashed out at the FBI's "Crossfire Hurricane" investigation, the name for the probe into Russia's election meddling and the 2016 campaign, as a "witch hunt."
Administration officials, including Barr, have aided GOP senators in releasing new information as they've sought to use their committees to dig into the FBI's previous probe heading into the November election.
Graham is expected to have former FBI Director James Comey
James Brien ComeyJohn Durham's endgame: Don't expect criminal charges Trump DOJ officials sought to block search of Giuliani records: report Tina Fey, Amy Poehler to host Golden Globes from separate coasts amid pandemic MORE before his committee next Wednesday, and has vowed to release a report next month on his investigation into the FBI and subsequent former special counsel Robert Mueller
Robert (Bob) MuellerWhy a special counsel is guaranteed if Biden chooses Yates, Cuomo or Jones as AG Barr taps attorney investigating Russia probe origins as special counsel CNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump MORE's probe.


“To me, failure of the FBI to inform the court that the Primary Sub-source was suspected of being a Russian agent is a breach of every duty owed by law enforcement to the judicial system," Graham said. “We’ll develop this case to the extent we can before the election, and we’ll use our prudent judgment to decide what’s appropriate before the election and what should wait until after the election,” Barr said.
Barr has also come under scrutiny from top congressional Democrats because of his public remarks about Durham's probe. Barr has teased that he could release some findings from the investigation before the November election.
--Updated at 11:58 p.m.