** The Change in Status Gives Investigators Ability to Subpoena Witnesses, Use Grand Jury

** NYT Reports that DOJ Durham probe has “shifted” from an administrative review of the Russia investigation “to a criminal inquiry.”

BREAKING: NYT Reports that DOJ Durham probe has "shifted" from an administrative review of the Russia investigation "to a criminal inquiry." We're digging. More at 11p @FoxNews @FoxNewsNight

TRENDING: BREAKING: Multiple Injuries After Car Plows Through Crowd of Trump Supporters in Yorba Linda, California (VIDEO)

The New York Times broke the story on Thursday night, via Conservative Treehouse:

For more than two years, President Trump has repeatedly attacked the Russia investigation, portraying it as a hoax and illegal even months after the special counsel closed it. Now, Mr. Trump’s own Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into how it all began.

Justice Department officials have shifted an administrative review of the Russia investigation closely overseen by Attorney General William P. Barr to a criminal inquiry, according to two people familiar with the matter. The move gives the prosecutor running it, John H. Durham, the power to subpoena for witness testimony and documents, to impanel a grand jury and to file criminal charges.

Former Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos reacted to the news tonight.

Papadopoulos was set up by CIA-FBI operatives during the 2016 election.

George Papadopoulos: John Durham’s investigation has officially morphed into a criminal investigation. When I said Mifsud and Downer were in on it together and Halper was there to provide cover, I was serious. Expect conspiracy charges to come out of this. Great day for America!