Democrats to 'take a hard look' at Durham's probe into Russia investigation

close

Video

What John Durham's Investigation Has Told Us

Paul Gigot interviews Kim Strassel on Durham's prosecution of Igor Danchenko. 

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced that the committee led by Democrats will "take a hard look" into "alleged misconduct" by Special Counsel John Durham as he conducts an investigation into the origins into the handling of the Trump-Russia investigation by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

In a statement Monday, Durbin referenced a New York Times report that included details about the opening of and actions taken during the investigation led by Durham after he was appointed by former Attorney General Bill Barr, which Durbin framed as "abuses of power."

"These reports about abuses in Special Counsel Durham’s investigation—so outrageous that even his longtime colleagues quit in protest—are but one of many instances where former President Trump and his allies weaponized the Justice Department," said Durbin.

TRUMP TARGETED: A LOOK AT THE INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING THE FORMER PRESIDENT; FROM RUSSIA TO MAR-A-LAGO

Special Counsel John Durham. (REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson)

MUELLER TEAM DENIED REQUESTS BY FBI AGENTS TO INVESTIGATE DEMOCRAT OPERATIVE CHARLES DOLAN FOR TIES TO KREMLIN

"The Justice Department should work on behalf of the American people, not for the personal benefit of any president, he said.

The New York Times report from last week claimed that there were "strained justifications" for the opening of the probe, which then became "roiled by internal dissent and ethical disputes."

Special Counsel John Durham. ( Bob MacDonnell/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

DURHAM: FBI 'THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM' OF DANCHENKO TRIAL, 'FAILED' ON 'A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS'

"As we wait for the results of ongoing internal reviews, the Senate Judiciary Committee will do its part and take a hard look at these repeated episodes, and the regulations and policies that enabled them, to ensure such abuses of power cannot happen again."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

It remains unclear if the "hard look" mentioned by Durbin entails hearings or other committee actions. 

Special Counsel John Durham.

Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this report.