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Soros’ alleged ties to Russiagate exposed in declassified annex of Durham report
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The credible foreign sources indicating the FBI and the Obama administration would play a role in spreading the salacious Trump-Russia narrative — before the bureau ever launched its probe — were allegedly tied to George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, according to an explosive document declassified Thursday morning.
The appendix to former Special Counsel John Durham’s report released by the Senate Judiciary Committee sheds stunning light on what Chairman Chuck Grassley describes as «one of the biggest political scandals and cover-ups in American history.»
CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Attorney General Pam Bondi worked in coordination to declassify the information.
FBI’S CONTROVERSIAL TRUMP-RUSSIA ACTIONS PREDICTED WITH ‘ALARMING SPECIFICITY’ BY FOREIGN ACTORS: SOURCES
Before its official release, sources exclusively briefed Fox News Digital on some of the contents of the appendix— including that the U.S. intelligence community had credible foreign sources indicating that the FBI would play a role in spreading the salacious Trump–Russia collusion narrative — before the bureau ever launched its controversial Crossfire Hurricane probe.
(George Soros (left) and Hillary Clinton (right) )
A source familiar with the contents of the classified appendix told Fox News Digital that while it may not have been exactly clear in the moment what the intelligence collection meant, with the benefit of hindsight, it predicted the FBI’s next move «with alarming specificity.»
The appendix reveals that the foreign sources were allegedly tied to George Soros’ Open Society Foundations.
The appendix said that Russian government actors in 2016 reportedly hacked emails from the Open Society Foundations, formerly known as the Soros Foundation.
«Two of the apparently hacked emails appear to have originated from the Open Society Foundations,» the appendix states, noting that the purported author of these emails was Leonard Bernardo, who was the regional director for Eurasia at the Open Society Foundations.
«During the first stage of the campaign, due to lack of direct evidence, it was decided to disseminate the necessary information through the FBI-affiliated…technical structures… in particular, the Crowdstrike and ThreatConnect companies, from where the information would then be disseminated through leading U.S. publications,» Bernardo reportedly wrote in an email, per the appendix.
The appendix to former Special Counsel John Durham’s report released by the Senate Judiciary Committee sheds stunning light on what Chairman Chuck Grassley describes as «one of the biggest political scandals and cover-ups in American history.» (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
«The media analysis on the DNC hacking appears solid…. Julie (Clinton Campaign Advisor) says it will be a long-term affair to demonize Putin and Trump. Now it is good for a post-convention bounce,» Bernardo allegedly wrote, per the appendix. «Later the FBI will put more oil into the fire.»
Another email reportedly from Bernardo states: «HRC (Hillary Rodham Clinton) approved Julie’s idea about Trump and Russian hackers hampering U.S. elections.»
«This should distract people from her own missing email, especially if the affair goes to the Olympic level,» Bernardo continued, per the annex. «The point is making the Russian play a U.S. domestic issue. Say something like a critical infrastructure threat for the election to feel manic since both POTUS and VPOTUS have acknowledge the fact IC would speed up searching for evidence that is regrettably still unavailable.»
Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI’s Trump–Russia investigation, was opened just several days later, on July 31, 2016.
The appendix reveals that Durham’s team interviewed numerous FBI personnel involved in the Crossfire Hurricane probe. Durham said those he interviewed believed the Bernardo emails to be «likely authentic.»
Durham’s appendix states that the Clinton campaign «might have wanted or expected the FBI or other agencies to aid that effort («put more oil into the fire») by commencing a formal investigation of the DNC hack.»
PATEL FOUND THOUSANDS OF SENSITIVE TRUMP–RUSSIA PROBE DOCS INSIDE ‘BURN BAGS’ IN SECRET ROOM AT FBI
Communications the Durham team reviewed additionally supported that the Clinton campaign was allegedly engaged in a plan to tie Trump to Russia, and that the campaign wanted or expected the office of the vice president, the FBI or other parts of the intelligence community, such as the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), to aid that effort.
«The Office’s best assessment is that the … emails that purport to be from Bernardo were ultimately a composite of several emails that were obtained through Russian intelligence hacking of the U.S.-based Think Tanks, including the Open Society Foundations, the Carnegie Endowment, and others,» the Durham annex states.
Special Counsel John Durham indicated the Department of Justice and FBI «failed to uphold their mission of strict fidelity to the law» when it launched the Trump-Russia investigation. (Ron Sachs/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty Images)
«It is a logical deduction (redacted) (Julianne) Smith was, at minimum, playing a role in the Clinton campaign’s efforts to tie Trump to Russia,» Durham writes, also noting that the communications reviewed «certainly lends at least some credence that such a plan existed.»
In 2020, Fox News Digital exclusively reported that former CIA Director John Brennan, in the summer of 2016, briefed former President Barack Obama and administration officials on intelligence that then-Democratic nominee former Secretary of State Clinton reportedly was stirring up a plan to tie Trump to Russia.
Ratcliffe, as director of national intelligence, declassified Brennan’s handwritten notes memorializing that meeting, which were exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital in October 2020.
On July 28, 2016, Brennan briefed Obama on a plan allegedly by one of Clinton’s campaign foreign policy advisors «to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.»
Comey, then-Vice President Joe Biden, former Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper were at the Brennan–Obama briefing.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe, pictured here, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Attorney General Pam Bondi worked in coordination to declassify the information. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
After that briefing, the CIA properly forwarded that information through a Counterintelligence Operational Lead (CIOL) to Comey and then-Deputy Assistant Director of Counterintelligence Peter Strzok, with the subject line: «Crossfire Hurricane.»
Fox News Digital exclusively obtained and reported on the CIOL in October 2020, which stated: «The following information is provided for the exclusive use of your bureau for background investigative action or lead purposes as appropriate.»
«Per FBI verbal request, CIA provides the below examples of information the CROSSFIRE HURRICANE fusion cell has gleaned to date,» the memo continued. «An exchange (REDACTED) discussing US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s approval of a plan concerning US presidential candidate Donald Trump and Russian hackers hampering US elections as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private email server.»
The FBI on July 31, 2016, opened a counterintelligence investigation into whether candidate Trump and members of his campaign were colluding or coordinating with Russia to influence the 2016 campaign. That investigation was referred to inside the bureau as «Crossfire Hurricane.»
The declassification and release of the classified annex was done with close coordination between Ratcliffe, Patel, Gabbard, Bondi and acting National Security Agency Director William Hartman — along with Grassley, who ultimately released the document to the public. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
The declassification and release of the classified annex was done with close coordination between Ratcliffe, Patel, Gabbard, Bondi and acting National Security Agency Director William Hartman — along with Grassley, who ultimately released the document to the public.
Meanwhile, while Ratcliffe was director of National Intelligence in 2020, he provided intelligence to Durham as part of a larger trove of more than 1,000 documents.
FLASHBACK: RATCLIFFE SAYS ODNI HAS PROVIDED NEARLY 1,000 DOCUMENTS TO DOJ TO SUPPORT DURHAM PROBE
A former senior Trump official told Fox News Digital that Ratcliffe advocated for releasing the intelligence publicly then, but that Durham, who, at the time, was expected to release an interim report prior to the 2020 election, declined on the basis that it could negatively impact his investigation, which had not yet reached a determination on potential prosecutions.
«Durham said he wanted to preserve his investigation but was going to release an interim report,» the former official told Fox News Digital. «Then he said he was afraid he’d get accused of politicization and disappeared.»
The source added: «Thankfully the real politicization is all coming to light now.»
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to take over the FBI’s original «Crossfire Hurricane» investigation (Carolyn Kaster, File/The Associated Press )
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to take over the FBI’s original «Crossfire Hurricane» investigation. After nearly two years, Mueller’s investigation, which concluded in March 2019, yielded no evidence of criminal conspiracy or coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election.
Shortly after, Durham was appointed as special counsel to investigate the origins of the «Crossfire Hurricane» probe.
EXCLUSIVE: DURHAM FINDS DOJ, FBI ‘FAILED TO UPHOLD’ MISSION OF ‘STRICT FIDELITY TO THE LAW’ IN TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE
Durham found that the FBI «failed to act» on a «clear warning sign» that the bureau was the «target» of an alleged Clinton-led effort to «manipulate or influence the law enforcement process for political purposes» ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
«The aforementioned facts reflect a rather startling and inexplicable failure to adequately consider and incorporate the Clinton Plan intelligence into the FBI’s investigative decision-making in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation,» Durham’s report states.
The credible foreign sources indicating the FBI and the Obama administration would play a role in spreading the salacious Trump-Russia narrative — before the bureau ever launched its probe — were allegedly tied to George Soros’ Open Society Foundation. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)
«Indeed, had the FBI opened the Crossfire Hurricane investigation as an assessment and, in turn, gathered and analyzed data in concert with the information from the Clinton Plan intelligence, it is likely that the information received would have been examined, at a minimum, with a more critical eye,» the report continued.
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Durham, in his report, said the FBI «failed to act on what should have been—when combined with other incontrovertible facts — a clear warning sign that the FBI might then be the target of an effort to manipulate or influence the law enforcement process for political purposes during the 2016 presidential election.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Soros and Bernardo for comment and has yet to receive a reply.
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World leaders split over military action as US-Israel strike Iran in coordinated operation
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World leaders reacted swiftly Saturday after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, exposing a deep divide between governments backing the attack on Iran and those warning the attacks risk a wider regional war.
In a joint statement, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Minister Anita Anand voiced firm support saying, «Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.» The statement described Iran as «the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East» and stressed it «must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons.»
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also endorsed the action, writing on X, «Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.» He confirmed Australia supports «the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,» while activating emergency consular measures and urging Australians to leave Iran if safe.
The United Kingdom said Iran «must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.» U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said he was speaking with the leaders of France and Germany «as part of a series of calls with allies.»
A person holds an image of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iranian demonstrators protest against the U.S.-Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 28, 2026. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) )
French President Emmanuel Macron warned, «The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security.» He added, «The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop,» and called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described developments as «perilous,» saying Iran’s «ballistic missile and nuclear programmes… pose a serious threat to global security,» while emphasizing that «Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority.»
Spain openly rejected the strikes. Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said, «We reject the unilateral military action by the United States and Israel, which represents an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order.»
Meanwhile, Gulf states responded to reported Iranian missile activity.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said, «The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.» It affirmed «its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries» and warned of «grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states’ sovereignty and the principles of international law.»
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense said the country «was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles,» adding that air defense systems «successfully intercepted a number of missiles.» Authorities said falling debris in a residential area caused «one civilian death of an asian nationality» and material damage.
The ministry called the attack «a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability,» and stated the UAE «reserves its full right to respond.»
UN’S ATOMIC AGENCY’S IRAN POLICY GETS MIXED REVIEWS FROM EXPERTS AFTER US-ISRAEL ‘OBLITERATE’ NUCLEAR SITES
Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026. (Reuters)
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar «strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks against Iran» and called for «urgent resumption of diplomacy.»
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held calls with counterparts across the region, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source told Reuters. The discussions focused on «possible steps to be taken to help bring an end to the attacks.»
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly linked the developments to Russia’s war against his country.
«Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putin’s accomplice and supplied him with ‘shahed’ drones,» Zelenskyy wrote, adding that Russia has used «more than 57,000 shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people.»
«It is important that the United States is acting decisively,» he said. «Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken.»
Russia sharply criticized the operation. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said, «All negotiations with Iran are a cover operation.»
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An interception is visible in the sky over Haifa during the latest barrage. (Anthony Hershko/TPS-IL)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned, «We will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity.»
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the strike «is not in line with international law.»
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Dos detonaciones han estremecido la capital iraní este sábado por la mañana. “El Estado de Israel lanzó un ataque preventivo contra Irán. El ministro de Defensa, Israel Katz, declaró el estado de emergencia especial e inmediato en todo el país”, indicó la oficina del ministro en un comunicado.
Según periodistas de AFP presentes en el lugar, el sonido de las explosiones se percibió con claridad, mientras columnas de humo emergían tanto en el centro como en el este de Teherán. “La naturaleza de las explosiones sugiere que se trata de un ataque con misiles”, señaló la agencia de prensa Fars.
El Ministerio de Defensa de Israel informó este sábado que lanzó un “ataque preventivo” contra Irán, mientras sonaban sirenas de emergencia en Jerusalén y la población recibía alertas telefónicas sobre una amenaza “extremadamente grave” en todo el país. Estados Unidos también inició ataques “de gran envergadura” contra Irán, y Trump afirmó a la población que “la hora de su libertad está al alcance de la mano”.
Por otra parte, la agencia Isna informó que una de las columnas de humo se observaba cerca del emblemático barrio Pasteur, en cuya zona se localizan tanto la residencia el ayatollah Ali Khamenei, como la sede presidencial, lo que subraya la sensibilidad estratégica del área.
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ofreció este sábado a los dirigentes militares del régimen iraní la opción de recibir “inmunidad” o enfrentarse una “muerte segura”.
Las autoridades israelíes anunciaban poco después la detección de “misiles lanzados desde Irán”, precedidos por sirenas que sonaban en distintas áreas del país. Enviaban debido a esto un mensaje a los teléfonos móviles de los ciudadanos urgiéndolos a buscar refugio. Poco después, ya se habían reportado las primeras explosiones sobre Jerusalén, según la AFP. En Teherán, un importante dispositivo de las fuerzas iraníes de seguridad bloquean varias calles alrededor del barrio en el que se encuentra la residencia del Ayatollah Jamenei.
También se han escuchado sirenas sobre Amman, capital de Jordania, cuya dirección de seguridad pública advierte: “El significado de las sirenas será el siguiente: tres sirenas intermitentes indican que hay una amenaza, y una sola sirena significa que la amenaza ha pasado. Cuando escuche las tres sirenas, debe refugiarse en el edificio más cercano hasta que la amenaza haya pasado”. La respuesta de Irán, por el momento, incluye ataques contra los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, Catar, Baréin, Kuwait y Arabia Saudita.
Los bombardeos fueron confirmados por el Ministerio de Defensa israelí y el presidente Donald Trump. El país hebreo declaró el estado de emergencia y el cierre de su espacio aéreo
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As one of Israel’s staunchest defenders from the left, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., full-throatedly endorsed President Donald Trump’s attacks on Iran as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle reacted Saturday morning.
«President Trump has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region,» Fetterman wrote on X. «God bless the United States, our great military, and Israel.»
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of Congress’ biggest backers of bold military action, is hailing President Donald Trump as a «man of peace,» and «evil’s worst nightmare.»
«As I watch and monitor this historic operation, I’m in awe of President Trump’s determination to be a man of peace but at the end of the day, evil’s worst nightmare,» Graham wrote Saturday morning on X in a string of posts. «Well done, Mr. President.»
Trump’s U.S. military armada in the Middle East, working in concert with Israel, is targeting military targets and ballistic missile sites that pose an «imminent threat,» a U.S. official told Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin.
The U.S. military is not targeting Iran’s leadership, but Israel is, the official added.
Strikes hit the compound home of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, in downtown Tehran on Saturday morning.
And Trump issued a video statement on social media, urging Iranian people to get out of the way for now, but «when we are finished, take over your government; It will be yours to take.»
«God bless @POTUS for planning and now executing Operation Epic Fury, making America more safe and eventually more prosperous,» Graham added. «I seek God’s protection for all under President Trump’s command, as well as our allies in Israel.
LINDSEY GRAHAM CALLS FOR US TO USE ‘ANY MEANS NECESSARY’ TO STOP THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE KILLING OF IRANIANS
«My mind is racing with the thought that the murderous ayatollah’s regime in Iran will soon be no more.
While reports of explosions happened hours earlier, Graham posted his first support for the actions after 3 a.m. ET, calling the «operation is necessary and long justified.»
«The biggest change in the Middle East in a thousand years is upon us,» Graham added in his second post on X. «The likelihood of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel getting back on track is exceedingly high – a subject I brought up last week to the key players in the region who concurred if the ayatollah goes down, historic peace advances.»
As the attacks were under way and battle damage assessments were yet to come, Graham delivered his prayers to the troops undertaking the operation.
«As to the men and women participating in this operation for our country and Israel, may God bless you and keep you safe,» he wrote. «If you are injured or fall, I believe with all my heart that your sacrifice makes your country and the world a better and safer place. This moment is why you chose to serve.
«This operation has been well-planned. It will be violent, extensive and I believe, at the end of the day, successful. Again the demise of the ayatollah’s regime with American blood on its hands is necessary and more than justified.»
MORNING GLORY: WHAT WILL PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP DECIDE TO DO WITH IRAN?
The U.S. has authorized non-essential embassy personnel to leave Israel amid escalating tensions with Iran. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images)
And, one of Trump’s long-time Republican critics, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., also posted on X, noting Trump has not sought congressional approval – although there was a briefing held with the Gang of Eight earlier this week.
«Acts of war unauthorized by Congress,» Massie wrote on X.
Senate Armed Forces Committee Chair Roger Wicker, R-Miss., praised the «decisive action» against «the world’s leading proliferator of terrorism.»
«This is a pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests,» Wicker wrote in a statement. «The president has stated the operation’s goals clearly: thwart permanently the ayatollahs’ desire to create a nuclear weapon, degrade their ballistic missile force and their production capacity, and destroy their naval and terrorism capabilities.
«These are the hardest decisions that face any American commander-in-chief, and I appreciate that President Trump and his team conducted a comprehensive strategy using all tools of national power and a well-orchestrated military planning process.»
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The time to strike was now, according to Wicker.
«The Iranian regime has never been weaker,» he added. «Without the use of military force against them, Iran’s ayatollahs would simply continue to grow their ability to threaten Americans and our interests, working in concert with the Chinese Communist Party, the Russian dictator Putin, North Korea, and other terrorist allies.
«The ayatollahs have mortgaged the economic future of ordinary Iranians to engage in their obsessive and apocalyptic vision.
Most importantly, I commend the brave men and women of our armed forces, who continue to demonstrate a level of operational proficiency unrivaled the world over. That fact will be evident in the coming days. Thanks to them, Americans are safer – not just today, but for generations to come.»
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