The Facts
The trial of Igor Danchenko, a US-based Russian lawyer charged with five counts of lying to the FBI during its investigation into alleged Trump-Russia collusion, is set to commence at the US District Court of Alexandria, Va. on Tuesday.
Danchenko - who provided key details for the "dossier" on former Pres. Trump to former British spy Christopher Steele - denied the charges and called for the judge to dismiss the case last week.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
When Durham's investigation began, Trump promised the probe would "reveal corruption at a level never seen before in our country." Instead, as the saga concludes with this limited trial, Danchenko will likely be proven innocent. After scrutiny by the courts, Durham's claims will remain unfounded. This Trump-promised bombshell will likely be a dud as November's elections approach.
Republican narrative
This trial will bring to light how Democratic operatives, conspiring with the FBI and the Justice Department, employed a dirty tricks campaign in an effort to illegally try to bring down Trump. These agencies need to be overhauled before Americans can trust them again.
