On a cool fall night in Mystic, Connecticut, an intimate group gathered together to hear from Special Counsel John Durham and learn about the long-awaited Durham Report which was released in May, 2023. All in attendance were excited to meet the man who spent four years investigating the unsubstantiated charges of Russian collusion alleged against President Trump and the Trump campaign. Critics would say that the report revealed nothing that was not already known. Others believe that it was an explosive exposé of proven corruption by Hillary Clinton, the DNC, the FBI, and the highest levels of governmental agencies including then-president Barack Obama and his VP, Joe Biden, all conspiring with a complicit media to take down a political opponent.

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On stage, Mr. Durham shared from his personal life and experience as a public servant for over 40 years. A favorite quote of his is the historically famous words from John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” He mentioned believing in the possibility to have rational civil discourse over issues as exemplified by conservative author William F. Buckley. Mr. Durham discussed how we are a nation ruled by laws; the land is planted thick with laws. Yet not all actions are criminal acts, nor can all criminals be convicted. The law is intended to protect each of us and is not meant to be applied unequally, nor to be used to pursue people based on personal beliefs.

According to Mr. Durham, the 306-page Durham Report details troubling information on how agencies and certain people within them did not follow the law. Beginning in July 2016, the FBI chose to open a full investigation on the Trump campaign. The proper protocols would have been to conduct an assessment or preliminary investigation of the reported intelligence information. In addition to taking preliminary steps to vet the information, there are presidential directives that the intelligence community will use the least intrusive and invasive surveillance means; none of these were followed with the Trump investigation. 

After the Durham Report was released, every major media channel that had reported falsely about Trump colluding with Russia had to admit there was zero evidence. In an article from ABC News in 2023:

“Our investigation … revealed that senior FBI personnel displayed a serious lack of analytical rigor toward the information that they received, especially information received from politically affiliated persons and entities,” Durham wrote in his report. “In particular, there was significant reliance on investigative leads provided or funded (directly or indirectly) by Trump’s political opponents. The Department did not adequately examine or question these materials and the motivations of those providing them before opening a full-scale investigation.”

In his final report, Durham alleges that the investigation into Trump in its early days was handled differently from how the FBI approached prior matters, including allegations of “foreign election interference plans” purportedly aimed at Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, which Durham’s team also examined.

The Durham Report not only proved Trump’s innocence, but that completely different rules were used by our government over matters concerning Donald Trump. The American people were lied to by the media and the people who created the lies. The Clinton campaign, the DNC, the FBI, the media, and everyone else involved, have yet to apologize. They wasted time and money; they caused deep divisions within our nation. Some people will not give up on the lies and refuse even now to believe the truth. 

Mr. Durham ended the night with suggestions on how the corruption within our government could be fixed. The first is that we need people with honesty and integrity in leadership. The people who are running our country must be those with both great strategy and character. Our leaders, elected and appointed, must be steadfast in their commitment to the rule of law. We need people who have the courage to maintain their integrity in all situations and are willing to stand up for what is right. 

As many of our governmental positions change this year, let’s pray together for all these ways that Washington, D.C., can be fixed. For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off (Psalm 37:28). The Lord certainly wants us to be set free from lies so that we can live in peace.

• Lord, we pray that all eyes will be open this election season, that people will be free from lies, that truth will prevail, and that the enemy within will be fully exposed and removed.
• Lord, we lift up the 2024 election to You and ask for righteous leaders to fill the halls of Washington, D.C. We pray they will live by 2 Corinthians 8:21. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man (NIV).
• Lord, Your Word says lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight (Proverbs 12:22 ESV). We pray for those who have spread lies to repent. We pray that the media will be honest and truthful. We pray that people who are elected and appointed into office will delight You.
• Lord, we pray for righteous leaders who are not swayed. Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways (Proverbs 28:6 ESV).
• Lord, we pray that people will know Your Word and pray. The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me (Psalm 7:8 ESV).
• Lord, we pray for men and women who live by Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Also, Proverbs 19:21: There are many plans in a man’s heart–nevertheless the LORD’s counsel–that will stand.

Let us also pray for Special Counsel John Durham:

• Lord, we thank you for the work of Special Counsel John Durham and his team.
• We pray that they will always remember 2 Chronicles 15:7: But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!
• Lord, we pray Psalm 20:4 over him, that You would give him the desire of his heart and make all his plans succeed.

The Durham Report: Report on Matters Related to Intelligence Activities and Investigations Arising Out of the 2016 Presidential Campaigns by John H Durham is available to purchase. A pdf file is available online through the US Government. Both are the official report from Special Counsel John H. Durham to Attorney General Merrick Garland reporting on the legality of the Justice Department and FBI’s “Russiagate” investigation into alleged links between the Trump 2016 campaign and Russia; the full report on the lack of evidentiary basis to the FBI’s heavily debated and politicized decision to open the “Russiagate” investigation.

What do you think of the Durham Report? Share your thoughts, prayers, and reflections below.

Mona Colwell is the IFA State Prayer Leader for Connecticut. Photo Credit: Bernd 📷 Dittrich on Unsplash.