FBI Director Kash Patel claimed in a public statement that the bureau uncovered and declassified a trove of documents tied to the Russia investigation—some of which were reportedly discovered in a “burn room” inside FBI headquarters.
Patel, who was appointed FBI Director under President Donald J. Trump, said the documents include a previously unreleased Durham annex and files related to the Steele Dossier, which he described as “fictitious intelligence.”
He accused former FBI officials of using the dossier to unlawfully surveil Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
“The same media is calling me a liar again,” Patel wrote in a public statement. “Maybe this FBI will release more docs directly, from FBI HQ… so we can see who is lying.”
Patel previously served as chief investigator for the House Intelligence Committee under then-Chairman Devin Nunes. He was a central figure in efforts to challenge the FBI’s handling of the FISA warrant process and publicly criticized how the bureau used the Steele Dossier in its investigation.
The original investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and alleged connections to Trump’s campaign resulted in multiple indictments but found insufficient evidence to charge anyone within the campaign with conspiracy.
Key Points
- New FBI Director Kash Patel claims hidden Russiagate files were found in FBI HQ
- Patel says the documents include a Durham annex and Steele Dossier materials
- The FBI has not publicly confirmed Patel’s statements or released related documents
