US President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet Meeting on Monday.Credit:Bloomberg
Trump and his allies have long contended that the investigation into Russian interference in the election,which led to the inquiry headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller,originated with false accusations and was politically motivated.
The expansion of the Durham inquiry,which was first reported by the New York Times,comes as an impeachment investigation in the US House of Representatives has become a growing threat to the Trump presidency.
Even before Durham received his new powers,Democrats and others had expressed concerns that Trump wanted to weaponise the Justice Department to further his political aims.
Until now,Durham,who heads the US attorney's office in Connecticut,has been doing a review into US counterintelligence activities conducted by the CIA,FBI and other agencies before and after the 2016 election,especially related to Trump's campaign and the early days of his presidency.
Robert Mueller's report into Russian involvement in the 2016 US election did not trigger an impeachment move against the President.Credit:Bloomberg
US Attorney General William Barr told the Senate Judiciary Committee in May he was concerned there may have been improper spying,though he added at the time he didn't have any concrete evidence. Shortly after the hearing,Barr appointed Durham to lead the review.
Since then,Barr has displayed a strong personal interest in advancing the probe,including travelling twice in recent months to ask Italian intelligence officials for help. He also has been in contact with Australian and British officials.