2016–2017: Russia/Trump Campaign Investigations Begin
- July 2016: FBI opens an investigation into possible links between the Trump campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 election.
- May 2017: Special Counsel Robert Mueller is appointed to continue the probe after President Trump fires FBI Director James Comey.
2018–2019: Mueller Investigation and Related Charges
- Feb 2018: Several Trump associates — including Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn — plead guilty to charges related to the Russia investigation.
- March 2019: Mueller submits his report to the Attorney General. The report details contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives but does not conclude conspiracy; it also outlines instances of potential obstruction of justice.
- April 2019: Redacted Mueller report is publicly released.
2020: Ongoing Probes and Political Investigations
- January 2020: The Senate acquits President Trump in his first impeachment trial, related to Ukraine matters.
- September 2020: Federal prosecutors continue to investigate matters relating to Trump associates and campaign contacts with foreign actors.
2021: Trump Post-Office and Capitol Riot Investigations
- January 2021: A second impeachment of President Trump occurs following the Capitol attack; the Senate acquits again in February.
- 2021: The Department of Justice opens extensive investigations into the January 6 attack, resulting in hundreds of arrests and charges against participants and some organizers.
2021–2022: Government Officials and Justice Oversight
- 2021–2022: Multiple Inspector General reviews are released assessing actions taken by DOJ and intelligence agencies during the Russia investigation.
- For example, the DOJ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) finds errors in FBI’s FISA applications but does not find evidence of conspiracy to misuse the system.
2022: Trump Classified Documents Investigation
- August 2022: FBI executes a search warrant at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate related to classified documents.
- June 2023: A federal special counsel is appointed to oversee the classified documents investigation; indictments follow related to the handling of government materials.
2023: Trump Business and Election Interference Probes
- March–April 2023: A New York grand jury issues indictments against Trump’s business entities and top executives related to alleged financial reporting discrepancies.
- May–November 2023: Multiple state and federal investigations examine actions related to the 2020 election; in Georgia, a special grand jury recommends charges for alleged interference.
2024: Legal Actions Against Trump and Associates
- April 2024: Trump is arraigned on federal charges related to retention of classified documents.
- June 2024 and beyond: Ongoing federal cases continue over alleged political interference, campaign finances, and judicial matters.
Investigations Involving Other Political Figures
While many investigations involve former President Trump and his associates, other major inquiries in recent years include:
Hillary Clinton and the 2016 Email Investigation
- 2016–2018: FBI conducts an investigation into Clinton’s use of a private email server as Secretary of State; no charges are brought.
Hunter Biden Tax and Foreign Business Probe
- December 2020–2023: Federal prosecutors investigate Hunter Biden’s tax affairs and foreign business dealings; in 2023, he enters a plea agreement on certain charges, later altered by a federal judge.
Various Congressional Oversight Probes
- Throughout 2021–2025, congressional committees (House and Senate) conduct hearings and investigations into topics like January 6, pandemic response, and executive agency conduct; these are political oversight actions, not criminal prosecutions.
Key Principles About These Events
✔ Official Investigations vs. Political Commentary
- Investigations announced by the DOJ, courts, or congressional committees are documented and verifiable.
- Claims about specific “criminal conspiracies” require evidence in court filings or official agency statements.
✔ Lawfare Defined
- Lawfare is a political term used by commentators to describe what they see as weaponizing legal systems; it’s not a formal legal charge.
✔ How Investigations Are Made Public
Federal investigations typically become public through:
- Court filings and indictments
- DOJ press releases
- Congressional statements and hearings
- Media reporting citing public records
What This Timeline Shows
- Major legal activity involving political leaders has been ongoing for several years.
- Many investigations have resulted in charges, plea deals, or official reviews.
- Not all inquiries lead to criminal charges; some remain oversight or intelligence reviews.
