Sally Yates and James Comey testify to the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 8, 2015 . (Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Newly revealed emails show Trump dossier author Christopher Steele was uneasy when President Trump fired Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates in January 2017.
In a brief correspondence between Steele and Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, Steele pressed for a back-up plan to be put in place if his back-channel to the FBI was ever placed in jeopardy.
“B, doubtless a sad and crazy day for you re-SY [Sally Yates]. Just wanted to check you are OK, still in situ and able to help locally as discussed, along with your Bureau colleagues, with our guy if the need arises? Many Thanks and Best as Always, C,” Steele wrote to Ohr on Jan. 31.
Ohr replied: “Bruce: Yes, a crazy day. I’m still here and able to help as discussed. I’ll let you know if that Changes. Thanks!”
“Thanks. You have my sympathy and support,” Steele wrote back. “If you end up out though, I really need another (Bureau?) contact point/number who is briefed. We can’t allow our guy to be forced to go back home. It would be disastrous all round, though his position right now looks stable. A million thanks. C.”
Ohr said in return: “Bruce: Understood. I can certainly give you an FBI contact if it becomes necessary.”
(…) Of particular concern to Republican lawmakers was a previously revealed text Ohr sent to Steele, saying, “very concerned (abt) about [former FBI Director James] Comey’s firing — afraid they will be exposed.” Comey was fired in May 2017.
Ahead of testimony Ohr gave to a GOP task force looking into alleged bias by the FBI and DOJ last year, Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, a key member of a GOP task force that looked into alleged bias by the FBI and DOJ, said there were other “equally troubling” texts that “relate to the firing of Sally Yates and the impact that that may have and that leads to some questions.” (Read more: Washington Examiner, 3/07/2019)