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FBI confirms investigation into possible Trump, Russia cooperation

WASHINGTON, March 20 (KUNA) -- FBI Director James Comey confirmed Monday that the bureau is investigating Russian interference in the US presidential election and any possible link with Donald Trump or his associates.
"Our counterintelligence mission is investigating the Russian government's efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election -- and that includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts," said Comey to the House Intelligence Committee.
He noted that there was no intelligence to show that actual votes cast in the election were changed by a Russian hacking.
In January the intelligence community assessed that the Russian government hacked offices of the Democratic Party and presidential nominee Hillary Clinton with the goal of helping Trump win the election.
The day's hearing also assembled to evaluate tweets by President Trump that claimed President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower in New York during the 2016 campaign. The White House has since suggested that British intelligence agency, GCHQ, may have also assisted in the surveillance.
"We have no information to support those tweets," Comey said. "All I can tell you is that we have no information that supports them." He additionally denied any indication that a wiretap against Trump was assisted by British intelligence.
In regards to when the US-Russia investigation may be complete, Comey affirmed that there is "no way to give" a timetable. (end) ak.hb