FBI chief promises document release on 2017 Russia probe claims

FBI Director Kash Patel announced a major disclosure is coming soon regarding 2017 Russia collusion allegations tied to former President Donald Trump's election campaign.

In a May 2025 interview, Patel said unredacted documents related to the investigation known as Crossfire Hurricane will be released to Congress within weeks and blasted former bureau leaders for misconduct during the 2016 election cycle, Breitbart reported.

Speaking on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Patel criticized former senior FBI officials for their roles in launching the Russia probe, accusing them of misleading a federal court and the American public. Specifically named were James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok and James Baker.

Patel alleged these officials intentionally withheld exculpatory material from a federal court and suggested that their actions undermined the founding principles of the bureau. Patel, who once served as a federal prosecutor, said the misuse of the FBI’s capabilities represented a severe deviation from law enforcement norms.

“They intentionally failed the American public,” Patel told host Maria Bartiromo, calling the controversy “the biggest D.C. deception game we have ever seen.” He maintained that the actions of these officials damaged the FBI’s integrity and mission.

Expired Time Limits Prevent Criminal Charges

Although Patel made serious allegations, he acknowledged that most potential criminal conduct tied to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation cannot be prosecuted. This is due to the expiration of the five-year statute of limitations on possible offenses.

He suggested that the FBI leadership prior to his tenure failed to act within a timeframe that would have allowed potential legal action. “We weren’t here in the FBI in the last five years, when we had statute of limitations that were still in play,” he said.

While criminal prosecution may be off the table, Patel emphasized transparency as the current priority. He said efforts are underway to declassify and send unredacted files related to the probe to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Uncovering New Information About the Probe

Patel also revealed that he and others recently came across additional information about the controversial investigation that had not previously been disclosed. He did not specify what this new material entails but suggested it deepens concerns about the conduct of the FBI’s former leadership.

“As much as we know about Crossfire Hurricane,” Patel said, “he and I just found out more last week.” He further accused prior officials of hiding sensitive documents and restricting their access.

Speaking about the scope of the misconduct, the FBI director said the officials involved “bastardized the FISA process” and funded the operation through taxpayer resources that may have been used against legal bounds.

Congress Plays a Key Role in Transparency

According to Patel, Congress has been working closely with the FBI to ensure the pending release of the documents. He highlighted their role in achieving greater transparency and restoring public confidence in federal law enforcement institutions.

He explained that the unredacted files being compiled will go to Congress “fast and hard,” aiming to provide full disclosure of how key decisions were made during the initial stages of the Russia probe.

Patel assured that lawmakers would receive the information without redactions, following years of delay and restraint that kept many details hidden from public oversight. “It’s a good thing we’re here now to clean it up,” he said.

Ongoing Calls for Accountability Persist

During the interview, host Maria Bartiromo raised concerns about the lack of personal accountability for former FBI officials. She pointed out that those involved have transitioned to media roles without facing consequences.

“They’ve got TV shows. They’ve got media platforms. They’re fine. There’s been no accountability,” she said. Patel described her statement as “a fair criticism.” He stressed that what the bureau can do now is bring forward documents to provide truth and transparency.

Despite the limitations in prosecuting past actions, Patel promised the release of internal files would help set the record straight. He noted, “You’re about to see a wave of transparency,” if given a short period of time to finalize preparations.