But Mr. Comey added that as part of that investigation, agents were asking whether Mr. Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia. Compare this with the F.B.I.’s last prominent, politically charged national security investigation: the inquiry into Mrs. Clinton’s private email server. has the authority to investigate crimes, but the mere fact that agents are looking at Mr. Trump’s aides does not mean they can prove wrongdoing. Still, current and former officials say they have uncovered evidence that Mr. Trump’s associates were in repeated contact with Russians. Whether calculated or not, Mr. Trump’s Twitter posts provided a confusing distraction in the discussion about Russian interference.

Source: New York Times March 21, 2017 20:19 UTC