Trump orders intel agencies to declassify information for AG Barr investigation into ‘spying’ on his 2016 campaign

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is directing the U.S. intelligence community to “quickly and fully cooperate” with Attorney General William Barr’s investigation of the origins of the multi-year probe into whether Trump’s 2016 campaign colluded with Russia.

The move marks an escalation in Trump’s efforts to “investigate the investigators,” as he continues to try to undermine the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe amid mounting Democratic calls to bring impeachment proceedings.

Press secretary Sarah Sanders says Trump is delegating to Barr the “full and complete authority” to declassify documents relating to the probe.

Trump claims his campaign was the victim of “spying,” though the intelligence community has insisted it acted lawfully in following leads in the Russia investigation.

Mueller’s report documented Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential campaign.

“Today, at the request and recommendation of the Attorney General of the United States, President Donald J. Trump directed the intelligence community to quickly and fully cooperate with the Attorney General’s investigation into surveillance activities…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2019

….during the 2016 Presidential election. The Attorney General has also been delegated full and complete authority to declassify information pertaining to this investigation, in accordance with the long-established standards for handling classified information…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2019

….Today’s action will help ensure that all Americans learn the truth about the events that occurred, and the actions that were taken, during the last Presidential election and will restore confidence in our public institutions.” @PressSec — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2019