In May 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation opened a secret investigation into Donald Trump, codenamed “Oxferd Comma,” to determine whether the newly elected president was acting knowingly or unwittingly as a Russian agent, according to internal FBI documents released by the White House. The inquiry, which was active for nearly two years until closing in April 2019, explored Trump’s long-standing business ties to Russia, his handling of Ukraine policy, and Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Origins of the “Oxferd Comma” Investigation in May 2017
The investigation officially commenced on May 16, 2017, according to published FBI records. The inquiry was approved by FBI Chief Legal Counsel James A. Baker and Counterintelligence Chief E.W. Priestap. According to an internal FBI note cited in the documents, the full investigation was launched on the basis of a “concrete factual basis that with reasonable implication suggests that President Donald J. Trump, knowingly or unwittingly, may be or have been involved in activities for or on behalf of the government of the Russian Federation.” The codenamed operation deliberately misspelled the grammatical term Oxford comma with an “e.”
The Dismissal of FBI Director James Comey
Mistrust and scrutiny intensified just one week prior to the opening of the “Oxferd Comma” file, when Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. At the time of his dismissal, Comey was overseeing the broader federal probe into Russian election interference and potential links between Moscow and the Trump campaign, known as “Crossfire Hurricane.” According to the released records, Comey had refused to state publicly that Trump was not under investigation.
Did you know? The initial FBI inquiry into broader Russian meddling, titled “Crossfire Hurricane,” was triggered in the summer of 2016 following disclosures from former campaign advisor George Papadopoulos regarding anonymous offers of assistance from Russian operatives.
While the White House initially attributed Comey’s firing to his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, Trump subsequently acknowledged in an NBC interview that he had “this Russia thing” in mind when deciding to remove the FBI director. The newly public files also reference an unnamed Trump campaign member—whose description aligns with George Papadopoulos—who claimed in May 2016 that Russian intermediaries offered to help damage Clinton’s campaign through anonymous information disclosures.
Conclusion of the Inquiry and the Mueller Report
While the Mueller report detailed Trump's frustration over Comey's refusal to publicly clear him, it did not mention the specific suspicion that Trump acted as a Russian agent. "All spor har enten blitt undersøkt eller lagt bort," the report concluded, noting that investigative leads had either been fully explored or dismissed. The White House stated in its press release that multiple FBI agents initially questioned the necessity of launching an investigation into the president, and emphasized that neither the bureau nor Mueller's team uncovered evidence of illegal collusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the FBI open the “Oxferd Comma” investigation?
According to White House disclosures, the secret investigation began on May 16, 2017.
Who authorized the investigation?
The inquiry was approved by FBI Chief Legal Counsel James A. Baker and Counterintelligence Chief E.W. Priestap.
When was the case closed?
The investigation was formally closed in April 2019, following the conclusion of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe.
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