Graham expects Horowitz investigation to show evidence was manipulated, withheld

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he expects Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s investigation into the Russia probe to show evidence was manipulated and withheld.

Graham said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” that he thinks the evidence will show the FBI shaped evidence to obtain warrants to wiretap a Trump campaign adviser and withheld information from the courts about the origins of the Steele Dossier. 

“I think you’re going to see the system off the rails,” he said in the interview. “I think you’re going to see members of the Department of Justice and FBI taking the law into their own hands.”

Graham said people should not “judge” the report until Horowitz testifies in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday. He added he has not seen a copy of Horowitz’s report yet. 

“I’m looking for evidence of whether or not they manipulated the facts to get the warrant and as to the counterintelligence investigation, why didn’t they tell President Trump that they suspected [Trump campaign advisers] Carter Page and [George] Papadopoulos of working with the Russians and if they didn’t tell him there’s a reason,” the senator said. “Counterintelligence is designed to protect institutions designed to protect Americans from foreign influence.”

The South Carolina lawmaker told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that he wants to ensure “this never happens again.”

“The only way to prevent it from happening again is people have to pay a price this time, so there will be no next time,” he said.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that the Horowitz report is expected to conclude the investigation into the Trump campaign’s connections to Russia was valid, though mistakes were made.

The president and GOP lawmakers, including Graham, have claimed the report and the ongoing criminal Justice Department investigation will show the FBI began its investigation based on political motives.