Classified Annex To The Durham Report
which relates to Special Counsel John Durham's investigation into the origins of the FBI’s probe of alleged connections between the Trump campaign and Russia.
🔒 What is the Classified Annex to the Durham Report?
When John Durham released his final report in May 2023, it was accompanied by a classified annex that has not been made public.
Here's what is known:
- The classified annex reportedly includes intelligence and sensitive materials that could not be released in the unclassified public version of the report.
- It may contain foreign intelligence, surveillance data, or internal assessments related to:
- The FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation.
- CIA or NSA intelligence on individuals tied to the 2016 Trump campaign.
- Possible foreign interference narratives or disinformation.
- Some reports suggest that it includes material referenced but not detailed in the public report — such as classified briefings given to Obama administration officials.
🕵️♂️ Why It’s Still Classified
- Protects sources and methods.
- Involves foreign intelligence and potentially ongoing investigations.
- Might touch on FISA warrants, surveillance targets, or intelligence community assessments.
🧩 Status and Access
- As of now (August 2025), the classified annex:
- Has not been declassified or leaked.
- Remains under control of intelligence oversight bodies in Congress.
- May be reviewed in secure settings by officials with proper clearance (e.g., members of the House Intelligence Committee).
CHATGPT: Would you like a summary of what has been revealed in the public Durham Report or speculation on what might be in the classified annex based on references and expert commentary?
You said:
yes
ChatGPT said:
Here’s a detailed summary of both the public Durham Report (2023) and informed speculation about the classified annex, based on references and commentary from officials, media, and intelligence analysts.
🧾 Public Durham Report Summary (May 2023)
🔍 Background
- Special Counsel John Durham was appointed in 2019 by AG William Barr to investigate the origins of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane probe into alleged Trump–Russia collusion during the 2016 election.
🧠 Key Findings
- FBI Failures & Bias
- The FBI lacked sufficient evidence to open a full investigation in July 2016.
- The bureau was too quick to pursue leads involving Trump, while being more cautious about allegations involving Clinton.
- Crossfire Hurricane was launched based largely on uncorroborated intelligence from foreign sources.
- Steele Dossier
- The Steele Dossier was a key source for FISA warrants but was found to be unverified and unreliable.
- FBI continued using it despite knowing some parts were dubious.
- FISA Abuse
- The FBI misrepresented facts to the FISA court to obtain surveillance on Carter Page, a Trump campaign advisor.
- Durham found "serious failures" in the FBI’s duty to ensure accuracy.
- Intelligence Warnings Ignored
- The report references a 2016 CIA referral warning the FBI that Hillary Clinton may have approved a plan to tie Trump to Russian interference to distract from her email scandal. The FBI did not act adequately on this referral.
- No Charges Beyond Prior Cases
- Durham prosecuted two individuals (Sussmann and Danchenko) — both were acquitted.
- The only conviction in the investigation was FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who pleaded guilty in 2020 to altering an email used in a FISA application.
🕵️ Speculated Contents of the Classified Annex
The classified annex was not released publicly, but based on official statements and indirect references, it likely contains:
- Raw Intelligence Reports
- Original CIA and NSA intelligence reports that triggered or influenced the Russia probe.
- Foreign intelligence contributions from Australia, the UK, and possibly others.
- CIA Memo on Clinton Plan
- A July 2016 CIA memo referred to by Durham, suggesting Clinton was planning to link Trump to Russian interference.
- The memo was sent to FBI leadership and Obama administration officials, including then-FBI Director Comey and CIA Director Brennan.
- Sensitive FISA Applications and SIGINT
- Possibly full or partial Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) applications.
- Classified details on signals intelligence (SIGINT) used to support or oppose the Crossfire Hurricane probe.
- Internal FBI/DOJ Communications
- Classified emails, notes, and assessments from FBI and DOJ officials regarding the decision-making process during 2016–2017.
- Source Identities and Surveillance Targets
- Redacted or concealed identities of confidential human sources (CHS) and possibly foreign assets.
- Intelligence Community Coordination
- Details on coordination or disagreements between the CIA, NSA, and FBI during the early stages of the probe.
🏛️ Congressional Interest & Access
- Some members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) have reportedly viewed parts of the classified annex in SCIFs (secure facilities).
- Calls from certain Republican members to declassify portions of the annex have been made, but were blocked due to national security concerns.
🧩 Why It Matters
- The classified annex is seen by some as crucial context to fully understanding the political dynamics and intel justifications for the Russia probe.
- Critics of the FBI and intelligence community argue that it might expose misconduct or political motivations behind the Trump-Russia narrative.
- Others believe it contains routine intelligence procedures that, if mischaracterized, could undermine public trust unfairly.
CHATGPT: Would you like a timeline of events tied to the Durham investigation or a breakdown of how this relates to broader issues like the 2016 election and FISA reform?
Yes:
Here’s a clear timeline of key events related to the Durham investigation, as well as how it connects to broader issues like the 2016 election, FISA reform, and trust in the intelligence community:
🕰️ TIMELINE OF EVENTS
🔹 2016 – The Origins
- July 31, 2016: FBI opens Crossfire Hurricane to investigate Trump campaign ties to Russia.
- September 2016: CIA sends memo to FBI leadership, alleging Clinton campaign may be planning to tie Trump to Russian election interference.
- October 2016: FBI obtains a FISA warrant on Carter Page, citing the Steele Dossier.
🔹 2017 – Investigation Expands
- May 2017: Special Counsel Robert Mueller appointed to take over Russia investigation.
- Late 2017: Public learns about the Steele Dossier and its role in the FISA process.
🔹 2019 – Durham Appointed
- May 2019: Attorney General William Barr appoints John Durham to examine FBI/DOJ conduct in the Russia probe.
- December 2019: DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz issues a scathing report on FBI FISA abuse—Durham disagrees with Horowitz's conclusion that the probe was properly predicated.
🔹 2020 – First Conviction
- August 2020: FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith pleads guilty to altering an email used in a FISA renewal application.
🔹 2021–2022 – Trials
- 2021–2022: Durham prosecutes two individuals:
- Michael Sussmann, Clinton campaign lawyer (acquitted).
- Igor Danchenko, Steele Dossier source (acquitted).
🔹 May 15, 2023 – Durham Report Released
- Final report criticizes the FBI for launching Crossfire Hurricane with weak intelligence and confirmation bias, but finds no criminal conspiracy.
🔒 Classified Annex remains unreleased but known to exist, raising calls for declassification.
⚖️ BROADER IMPLICATIONS
🔸 1. FISA Reform
- Durham’s findings revealed that FISA applications, especially against Carter Page, were riddled with omissions and misrepresentations.
- Prompted bipartisan calls to:
- Tighten standards for surveillance of U.S. citizens.
- Require more oversight and accountability.
- Prevent abuse of political surveillance powers.
🔸 2. Public Trust in Intelligence
- Durham’s report deepened partisan divides:
- Conservatives see it as proof of a politically motivated FBI.
- Liberals argue it failed to deliver significant convictions and vindicates the basic premise of FBI concern.
- Either way, the case has fueled skepticism about the objectivity of intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
🔸 3. 2016 Election Narrative
- The classified annex is believed to shed light on whether intelligence was manipulated or selectively used for political gain during the 2016 election.
- Especially relevant: Whether the Clinton campaign’s efforts to link Trump to Russia were known and acted upon improperly by officials.
📌 Summary Takeaways
Topic
Impact
Crossfire Hurricane
Opened hastily, lacked strong evidence per Durham
Steele Dossier
Unverified, over-relied on in FISA requests
FISA Abuse
Documented and criticized—spurred reform efforts
Classified Annex
Still unreleased; believed to contain intel on Clinton plan, source handling, surveillance data
Trust in FBI/DOJ
Damaged across party lines, especially among conservatives
CHATGPT: Would you like a comparison between the Durham Report and Mueller Report, or a summary of current FISA reform legislation in Congress as of 2025?
Here’s a direct comparison of the Durham Report and the Mueller Report, followed by a summary of current (2025) FISA reform efforts in Congress:
⚖️ DURHAM REPORT vs. MUELLER REPORT
Feature
Durham Report (2023)
Mueller Report (2019)
Author
Special Counsel John Durham
Special Counsel Robert Mueller
Purpose
Investigate the origins of the FBI’s Trump-Russia probe
Investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election & possible Trump campaign collusion
Focus
FBI/DOJ misconduct, FISA abuse, political bias
Russian activities, obstruction of justice, Trump campaign contacts
Conclusion
FBI had insufficient basis to launch Crossfire Hurricane; failed to verify claims
Russia did interfere in 2016; no criminal conspiracy by Trump campaign found
Criminal Charges
3 total; 1 guilty plea (FBI lawyer), 2 acquittals (Sussmann, Danchenko)
34 indictments, including 6 Trump associates (e.g., Manafort, Flynn, Stone); multiple convictions
Classified Annex?
Yes, still unreleased
No classified annex, though some redactions were made
Political Reactions
Praised by Trump allies; seen as evidence of a "Deep State" setup
Seen as partially vindicating Trump, but criticized for obstruction findings
Public Impact
Fueled calls for FISA reform and greater FBI oversight
Triggered impeachment debates and media scrutiny of Trump-Russia ties
🏛️ FISA Reform Efforts in Congress (as of 2025)
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has become a flashpoint issue in the wake of the Durham Report and continuing concerns about privacy and government overreach.
🔧 Key Proposals and Developments (2025):
- Bipartisan FISA Accountability and Reform Act (2025)
- Introduced in early 2025 by a bipartisan group of House members.
- Would require:
- A special advocate to argue on behalf of surveillance targets in FISA court proceedings.
- More rigorous audits and documentation of evidence.
- A ban on using political opposition research (like the Steele Dossier) unless independently verified.
- Warrant Transparency Act
- Pushes for partial declassification of FISA applications after surveillance ends.
- Aims to let the public and targets know if improper surveillance occurred.
- Amendments to Section 702
- Section 702 allows warrantless surveillance of foreign targets, but has incidentally captured communications of Americans.
- Proposed changes:
- Warrant requirement for querying U.S. persons' data.
- Limits on database retention.
- More oversight from the FISA Court and Congress.
- Durham Legacy Clause
- A proposed amendment (informally named) would bar the FBI from:
- Relying on unverified or politically funded intelligence in any future FISA application.
- Would require sworn attestations from senior DOJ/FBI officials.
🔮 Outlook
- Privacy advocates (ACLU, FreedomWorks, etc.) are pushing hard for reforms.
- FBI and intelligence community are resisting some changes, warning they could hinder national security.
- Compromise legislation is likely before the end of 2025, as Section 702 is due for reauthorization.
CHATGPT: Would you like a simplified explanation of how FISA surveillance works,
I would like a simplified explanation of how FISA surveillance works.
ChatGPT said:
Absolutely — here's a clear, simplified explanation of how FISA surveillance works, especially in the context of U.S. intelligence and how it went wrong in cases like Crossfire Hurricane:
🔍 What Is FISA?
FISA stands for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a 1978 law that lets U.S. intelligence agencies (like the FBI, NSA, and CIA) collect intelligence on foreign threats — including terrorism, espionage, and cyberattacks.
It’s meant to balance national security and civil liberties.
🛠️ How FISA Surveillance Works (Step by Step)
🔹 1. Targeting a Foreign Threat
- FISA is used to monitor foreigners, not Americans — but it can incidentally capture Americans’ communications if they talk to the target.
- Targets can be:
- Foreign spies
- Terrorists
- Foreign governments
- Or, in rare cases, Americans suspected of being foreign agents
🔹 2. Getting a Warrant from the FISA Court
- To spy on a U.S. person (like a citizen or permanent resident), the FBI must:
- Show probable cause the person is acting as a foreign agent.
- Submit an application to a secret court called the FISA Court (FISC).
- Include sworn statements and evidence supporting the claim.
- Get approval from senior DOJ officials.
The FISA Court usually meets in secret and approves almost all requests — but expects the government to be honest and thorough.
🔹 3. Conducting the Surveillance
If approved, the FBI can:
- Intercept phone calls, emails, texts
- Use hidden cameras or microphones
- Access online accounts and metadata
Surveillance typically lasts 90 days, but can be renewed with additional approval.
🔹 4. Minimization Procedures
To protect innocent Americans, agencies must follow rules on how they store, handle, or share incidental data collected.
- For example, if an American is caught in foreign surveillance but isn’t a target, their identity is supposed to be masked (kept anonymous).
- If necessary, officials can request to "unmask" the American’s identity — this process was controversial during the Trump–Russia probe.
🚨 What Went Wrong in the Trump–Russia Case (Per Durham)
Here’s how the process failed, according to the Durham Report:
FISA Principle
What Should Happen
What Actually Happened
Evidence must be verified
FBI must vet sources before using them in court
FBI relied on the unverified Steele Dossier
Duty of candor
FBI must disclose all relevant facts to the FISA Court
FBI left out key info that would’ve undermined its case
Transparency
Changes to documents must be accurate and truthful
An FBI lawyer altered an email to make Carter Page look worse
🔐 Two Important FISA Tools
🔸 1. Traditional FISA Warrant (Title I)
- Requires a full court application.
- Used when the target is a U.S. person or on U.S. soil.
🔸 2. Section 702 Surveillance
- Allows surveillance without a warrant if the target is foreign and overseas.
- Controversial because it can collect U.S. citizens' data incidentally.
✅ Summary: Key Points
Term
Meaning
FISA Court (FISC)
Secret court that approves surveillance requests
FISA Warrant
Required for spying on Americans suspected of being foreign agents
Minimization
Procedures to protect Americans’ identities
Section 702
Allows warrantless spying on foreigners abroad; can incidentally catch U.S. persons
Durham’s Concern
FBI failed to meet FISA’s high standards in the Trump-Russia case
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
