Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., said Wednesday the panel has found “no hard evidence of collusion” between the Trump campaign and Russia, but left open the possibility that it still could as it investigates Russian interference in the 2016 election.
“I can say as it relates to the Senate Intelligence Committee investigation that we have no hard evidence of collusion. Now, we’re not over. That leaves the opportunity that we might find something that we don’t have today,” he told Fox News.
Burr said he hopes the committee can complete its investigation before the end of the year, but it would take anywhere from three to six months to issue a final report on its findings.
“We found a lot of things we didn’t anticipate that we would find. We’ve had to chase a lot of threads that needed to be chased,” he said.
Burr declined to disclose further details about what the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation might conclude when it wraps up.
President Trump touted Burr’s comments in a tweet after his appearance on the president’s favorite network.
“‘I can say, as it relates to the Senate Intelligence Committee Investigation, that we have NO hard evidence of Collusion.’ Richard Burr (R-NC) Senate Intelligence Committee, Chairman,” Trump tweeted, adding no further commentary.
“I can say, as it relates to the Senate Intelligence Committee Investigation, that we have NO hard evidence of Collusion.” Richard Burr (R-NC) Senate Intelligence Committee, Chairman
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 12, 2018
