Author Archive

Natasha Bertrand

Management

The Critical Part of Mueller’s Report That Barr Didn’t Mention

The special counsel’s most interesting findings about Trump and Russia might be in the counterintelligence portion of his report.

Management

The House’s Latest Move Could Be a Big Threat to Trump’s Presidency

A sweeping new probe launched by the House Judiciary Committee could be the most revealing yet about the president’s alleged misconduct.

Management

Andrew McCabe Couldn’t Believe the Things Trump Said About Putin

The former deputy director of the FBI explains why the bureau felt obligated to investigate the president—and how the Mueller probe might end.

Management

Attorney-General Nominee Breaks With Trump on the Mueller Probe

Bill Barr attempted to assuage Democrats’ fears that he would be beholden to the president, but parts of his testimony still left them unnerved.

Management

Trump’s Yearning to Prosecute His Political Enemies

Trump reportedly sought earlier this year to prosecute Hillary Clinton and James Comey, which one former Justice Department official called “un-American.”

Management

What Sessions’s Resignation Means for Robert Mueller

His temporary replacement, Matthew Whitaker, has expressed skepticism over the scope of the Russia investigation—which he’ll now oversee.

Management

The Surprising Good News About Voting Security

With today’s midterms, America’s election infrastructure has never been more carefully monitored by government officials. But will that be enough?

Management

Mueller Wants the FBI to Look at a Scheme to Discredit Him

The special counsel says a woman was offered money to fabricate sexual-harassment claims.

Oversight

House Intelligence Committee Democrats Seek at Least a Partial Truce

If the Democrats take back the House in November, Congressman Adam Schiff says he’ll try to close a hyper-partisan divide on the House Intelligence Committee.

Management

The FBI Investigation Didn’t Go Very Far By Design

The special background investigation of Brett Kavanaugh involved nine witnesses and bypassed dozens of others named by accusers Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez.

Oversight

This Is No ‘Standard’ FBI Background Investigation

Background investigations are typically assignments for newly minted FBI special agents. Not the one under way that involves the Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Management

Rosenstein’s Day of Reckoning with the President

The deputy attorney general is set to meet and explain himself to the president. But Trump may postpone the session and reports warming relations, even as House Republicans fume.

Management

A Supreme Court Case Could Liberate Trump to Pardon His Associates

Gamble v. United States isn’t related to the Russia investigation. But the outcome—which one senior Republican senator has tried to influence—could still have consequences for the probe.

Management

What Rosenstein’s Exit Would Mean for Mueller's Russia Investigation

The deputy attorney general is reportedly on his way out at the Justice Department, though the exact circumstances are unclear.

Management

Michael Flynn Will Finally Be Sentenced

The delays fueled speculation about Flynn’s value to Mueller as a witness in the Russia probe.

Management

Paul Manafort and Trump’s Pardon Pattern

As he has with Manafort, President Trump has decried the government’s “unfair” treatment of all three men he has pardoned to date. But will the pattern hold with his former campaign manager?

Defense

Why the FBI Fired an Agent Who Wrote Anti-Trump Texts

The FBI’s disciplinary office had recommended Peter Strzok be suspended for two months but was overruled by the bureau’s deputy director.

Oversight

Trump’s Meeting With Putin Draws Alarmed Responses From Both Parties

The president’s remarks casting doubt on Russian interference in the 2016 election drew rebukes both implicit and explicit from those close to, and within, his own administration.

Oversight

FBI Agent Peter Strzok: 'There Is Simply No Evidence of Bias in My Professional Actions'

The federal agent weathered hours of questioning from Republicans seeking to discredit the Russia investigation.

Defense

Trump Backs Russia on Election Interference Ahead of NATO Summit

The president’s remarks came amid increasing anxiety among U.S. allies about next month’s meeting, which will be immediately followed by a one-on-one with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.