menu_open Columnists
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Newly released documents open a path to the true origins of the Russia hoax

7 0
10.08.2026

US News Metro Long Island Politics

Sports NFL MLB Olympics NBA NHL College Football College Basketball WNBA

Entertainment TV Movies Music Celebrities Awards Theater

Lifestyle Weird But True Sex & Relationships Viral Trends Human Interest Parenting Fashion & Beauty Food & Drink Travel

Health Wellness Fitness Health Care Medicine Men’s Health Women’s Health Mental Health Nutrition

Science Space Environment Wildlife Archaeology

Today’s Paper Covers Columnists Horoscopes Crosswords & Games Sports Odds Podcasts Careers

Email Newsletters Official Store Home Delivery Tips

Switch between CA and NY editions here.

Newly released documents open a path to the true origins of the Russia hoax

See more of our coverage in your search results.

On May 16, 2017, the FBI took one of the most extraordinary steps in its history: It opened a full investigation of the sitting American president. 

Newly declassified documents released by the White House say the bureau asked whether the president “is or was directed by, controlled by, and/or coordinated activities with” Vladimir Putin’s Russia — and whether he “obstructed and/or conspired to obstruct” the FBI’s own investigation. 

That the FBI had targeted President Trump was reported in 2019. What was missing was the paperwork — the opening document, the names on it, the chain of command. 

The May 16 “opening communication” lists FBI General Counsel James Baker and Counterintelligence Division Assistant Director E.W. “Bill” Priestap as the approving officials.

The investigation was opened at Priestap’s direction, in consultation with Baker’s Office of General Counsel; and Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe personally notified Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. 

The next day — May 17 — Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller special counsel, and the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax took flight. 

Plagiarist prof Jason Arday’s life story is published tomorrow, and it gets more unbelievable by the page

The walls — and evidence — are slowly building around Dr. Anthony Fauci

Fresh proof that ‘democratic socialists’ will act like communists once elected

James Comey figures in the hoax, too. He went from fired FBI director to a central witness.

The FBI used Comey’s........

© New York Post