President Donald Trump used a phone interview with Fox Business on Thursday to rail against the FBI for its part in the special counsel investigation into the president’s potential Russian links. Trump directed his scorn at FBI Director Christopher A. Wray for the bureau’s cooperation with this and other investigations, and said he wished Wray would be more “forthcoming” with the Department of Justice investigation of the Russia probe.

Allegations have surfaced accusing Wray of misleading the Senate Intelligence Committee on the reliability of the Russian “primary sub-source” cited in the Steele Dossier as a basis for investigating the 2016 Trump campaign. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz previously concluded the dossier had no part in initiating the Russia probe despite the assertions of Attorney General William Barr.

Asked by phone whether Wray is hiding something to protect the FBI and should step down, Trump said: “So Christopher Wray was put there. We have an election coming up. I wish he was more forthcoming, he certainly hasn't been. There are documents that they want to get, and we have said we want to get. We're going to find out if he's going to give those documents. But certainly he's been very, very protective.”

Trump said that hoped Wray would provide more documents to John Durham, who was chosen by Barr to oversee an investigation into the origins of and the potential political motivation behind the Russia probe, which was led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller. Barr said on Wednesday he hopes to release some of the investigation’s findings before the November election, but stressed it could continue through winter.

“Bill Barr has a chance to be the greatest of all time,” Trump continued, publicly pressuring the attorney general to get results. “But if he wants to be politically correct, he'll be just another guy.”

The Mueller investigation concluded Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election on Trump's behalf but could not determine whether the Trump campaign actively colluded, citing numerous examples where Trump operatives failed to follow through on proposals.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, seen here during a February 2020 congressional hearing, says that China has preferences in the US election
FBI Director Christopher Wray, seen here during a February 2020 congressional hearing, says that China has preferences in the US election AFP / Brendan Smialowski
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