The White House has released newly declassified FBI memos revealing that in 2017, the bureau initiated a counterintelligence investigation into whether President Donald Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey was connected to Russia. The probe, codenamed "Oxferd Comma," was opened shortly after Trump dismissed Comey in May 2017.

According to the documents, the investigation was launched amid national security concerns that Trump himself might be a Russian asset. Investigators sought to determine whether Trump was "directed by, controlled by, and/or coordinated activities with, the Russian Federation in a manner constituting a threat to the national security of the United States and/or a violation of federal criminal statutes."

The reason behind the apparent misspelling of "Oxford" in the probe's codename remains unclear. Former FBI Director James Comey is referenced in the memos, which were made public by the White House.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for additional comment on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026.

Sources