McConnell Backs Push for Investigation of Russia Probe Missteps

The top Republican in the U.S. Senate said on Tuesday he supported a push by a Republican colleague for an inquiry into potential law enforcement missteps in a probe of possible collusion between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia.

"I think Senator (Lindsey) Graham has raised a legitimate question," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters. "I think it's not inappropriate for the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, with jurisdiction over the Justice Department, to investigate possible misbehaviors."

Graham, who heads the panel, said on Monday he wanted to see a special counsel appointed to look into the origins of a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant for former Trump adviser Carter Page.

The warrant was based in part on information in a dossier on Trump compiled by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence officer who co-founded a private intelligence firm.

Graham said he would use the panel's subpoena power if necessary, whether or not a special counsel is appointed, to look into the matter.

Graham's call for an investigation came one day after Attorney General William Barr said a report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller found that Trump's campaign did not conspire with Moscow.