FBI investigated if Trump was a Russian asset after Comey firing, memos show
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Author James Comey, former FBI Director, in New York City last year. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
The FBI opened an investigation into whether President Trump was acting as a Russian asset after he fired FBI Director James Comey in 2017, newly declassified memos show.
Why it matters: The release of the files on the probe, known as "Oxferd Comma," revives one of the most consequential episodes in the Trump-Comey saga, and comes months after Trump's Justice Department again put the former FBI director under criminal indictment.
Driving the news: The memos that the White House released on Wednesday show the FBI opened an investigation that was marked as a "sensitive investigative matter" in May 2017 into whether there was any collusion between Russia and Trump's campaign during the 2016 election.
- Investigators examined whether Trump was "wittingly or unwittingly" involved in activities for or on behalf of Russia, "which may constitute violations of federal criminal law or threats to the national security of the United States," according to one of the declassified memos.
- "Based on the facts and circumstances provided to date, the FBI believes that opening this investigation is the least intrusive method to address the serious national security risk posed by the activities alleged," it said.
Context: The case was closed in April 2019, soon after former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation concluded with no charges against Trump.
- Mueller's probe resulted in several criminal cases against people in Trump's orbit. However, his report found no conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia, though it neither implicated nor cleared the president of obstructing justice.
The big picture: The newly released memos add another chapter to the yearslong feud between Trump and Comey that has shaped investigations, court battles and political attacks since Trump fired the former FBI director.
- The DOJ had Comey indicted in April in connection with a 2025 social media post by the former FBI chief that featured seashells arranged to display "86 47," which some Republicans at the time interpreted as a threat against Trump.
- The charges of making threats against the president and transmitting a threat in interstate commerce came five months after a judge dismissed an earlier DOJ case against Comey on charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing its investigation of the Russia probe.
- Comey's legal team declined to comment. The White House did not respond to Axios' request for comment.
Go deeper: James Comey indicted again, this time over "86 47" photo
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
