The White House on Wednesday released newly declassified FBI records that shed light on a criminal and counterintelligence investigation into President Donald Trump, code-named "Oxferd Comma," initiated in 2017. The probe was opened May 16, 2017, shortly after President Trump's dismissal of FBI Director James Comey, and sought to ascertain whether President Trump may have acted on behalf of Russia.
"no big there there." — Peter Strzok, then-Deputy Assistant Director, FBI
The newly released documents indicate that investigators aimed to determine if President Trump had been directed, controlled, or influenced by Russia, and whether his actions posed a national security threat or violated federal law. A key factor cited in the bureau's concerns was Comey’s firing, with investigators believing public explanations surrounding the dismissal could suggest the Russia investigation played a role in the decision. The FBI also examined potential obstruction of an FBI investigation by President Trump or others.
The "Oxferd Comma" investigation was classified as a sensitive investigative matter, a designation that generally limits access to information about the probe to a restricted number of FBI personnel. Then-Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein were informed after the investigation commenced. The probe was later incorporated into the broader investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was appointed by Rosenstein after Comey's dismissal to examine Russian interference in the 2016 election and any potential links between Russia and the Trump campaign.
Special Counsel Mueller’s final report, released in April 2019, did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government. Following the conclusion of Mueller’s investigation, the "Oxferd Comma" investigation was closed on April 9, 2019. The closing communication referenced the special counsel’s confidential report, which detailed prosecution and declination decisions. President Trump was not charged as part of Mueller’s investigation.
According to an administration official cited by CBS News, FBI information available at the time "Oxferd Comma" was opened had largely undermined allegations that President Trump or his campaign had coordinated with Russia. The official further stated that the evidence available to the FBI did not support the allegation that President Trump was acting on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Internal records from the FBI previously documented skepticism regarding the collusion allegations. In a May 19, 2017, text message, then-Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok expressed concern, writing that there was "no big there there." Similarly, FBI agent William Barnett later informed investigators that by early 2017, he had not found evidence that the Trump campaign had colluded with the Russian government.
The broader "Crossfire Hurricane" investigation, which encompassed "Oxferd Comma," was later reviewed by Special Counsel John Durham. In his 2023 report, Durham concluded that the FBI should not have opened a full investigation based on the information available at the time. He also found that the bureau had failed to apply the same level of analytical rigor to this investigation as it did to others.
The declassification of the "Oxferd Comma" records was carried out by the White House Government Transparency Task Force. This release occurs as federal prosecutors in Florida are reportedly examining whether actions by the FBI, Justice Department, and intelligence agencies may have violated the civil rights of President Trump and his supporters through investigations deemed to have lacked sufficient evidence. President Trump has consistently criticized the FBI’s investigations into his campaign and presidency, frequently labeling them as politically motivated. The newly released records provide additional granular details about the bureau's rationale for investigating whether President Trump's decision to fire Comey was linked to Russian influence or potential obstruction of justice.
