Special counsel John Durham has filed a new indictment in his ongoing investigation into potential election interference during the 2016 presidential campaign. The indictment, which was unsealed on Thursday, accuses a Democratic lawyer of lying to the FBI about his contacts with a Russian national.
The lawyer, Michael Sussmann, is a partner at the law firm Perkins Coie, which represented the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 election. According to the indictment, Sussmann met with a Russian national and provided him with information about alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. Sussmann then allegedly lied to the FBI about his interactions with the Russian national.
This latest indictment is part of Durham’s broader investigation into the origins of the FBI’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Durham was appointed as special counsel by then-Attorney General William Barr in 2020 to investigate the origins of the FBI’s probe, which ultimately led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller.
The indictment of Sussmann is seen as a significant development in Durham’s investigation, as it suggests that Durham may be focusing on potential misconduct by individuals associated with the Democratic Party. The indictment also raises questions about the extent of Russian interference in the 2016 election and the role that political operatives may have played in perpetuating false narratives about the Trump campaign.
Sussmann has denied any wrongdoing and his lawyer has called the indictment “baseless.” It remains to be seen how this latest development will impact Durham’s investigation and whether any further indictments will be forthcoming.
As the investigation continues to unfold, it is clear that the issue of election interference remains a contentious and divisive issue in American politics. The indictment of Sussmann is likely to further fuel partisan tensions and raise questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
In the meantime, Durham’s investigation is ongoing and it remains to be seen what further revelations may come to light. The American public will be watching closely as the special counsel continues to unravel the complex web of election interference and political intrigue that has shaped the country’s recent history.