U.S. intelligence officials have opened an investigation into one of Donald Trump’s foreign policy advisers to determine whether the American businessman spoke with senior Russian officials about potentially lifting economic sanctions against Moscow if the Republican nominee wins the presidential election.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) recently wrote to FBI Director James Comey calling on the bureau to probe "significant and disturbing ties" between the Trump campaign and Russia after reports emerged that Trump adviser Carter Page had met with "high ranking sanctioned individuals" in Moscow over the summer, Yahoo News reported Friday.
Senior congressional members have discussed Page’s potential connections with the Kremlin during recent briefings regarding suspected attempts by Russia to influence the presidential election through a series of cyber attacks against Democratic computer systems.
A congressional source told Yahoo News that some members were "taken aback" when briefed on Page’s contacts in Moscow and fear the Russians would use the link as a back channel to weaken U.S. foreign policy.
A senior law enforcement official confirmed the connection is "being looked at."
Page, who helps run an energy investment company called Global Energy Capital LLC, first emerged as one of Trump’s foreign policy advisers in March. He lived in Moscow for three years in the early 2000s, where he worked as an investment banker for Merrill Lynch and adviser on transactions for Gazprom and RAO UES, a Russian electric power company.
Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller told Yahoo News this week that Page "has no role" with the candidate’s presidential bid despite campaign staff previously naming him as part of the GOP nominee’s foreign policy team.
"We are not aware of any of his activities, past or present," Miller said.
Concerns over Page’s connections with the Kremlin come as intelligence officials grow increasingly concerned about suspected Russian cyber attacks against Democratic networks, including the Democratic National Committee.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) and Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.), both ranking members on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, issued a statement on Thursday charging that Russian intelligence agencies were responsible for the breaches.
"Based on briefings we have received, we have concluded that the Russian intelligence agencies are making a serious and concerted effort to influence the U.S. election," the two California lawmakers said.
Moscow has adamantly denied involvement in the attacks.
Page traveled to Moscow in early July, two weeks before Trump was coronated as the party’s presidential nominee at the Republican National Convention, and delivered an outspoken criticism of U.S. policy. He condemned the U.S. and other Western powers for hindering advancement in Russia "through their hypocritical focus on ideas such as democratization, inequality, corruption, and regime change."
Page also criticized the U.S. in March, comparing American sanctions intended to punish Russia for its military occupation of Crimea to slavery.
Page is not the only Trump adviser who has been scrutinized for his friendliness toward Russia. Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort has extensive ties to Russian interests. Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a former Defense Intelligence Agency chief who favors closer U.S.-Russia relations, is also advising Trump on foreign policy.