Declassified Durham Report Alleges George Soros Connection to Clinton Campaign’s Russiagate Strategy

Newly declassified documents from the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, including an annex to the Durham report, have shed light on allegations that George Soros’ Open Society Foundations played a role in shaping the Clinton campaign’s controversial strategy to link Donald Trump to Russia during the 2016 presidential election. These findings, released on July 31, 2025, have rekindled debates over the politicization of intelligence agencies and the ethical boundaries of campaign tactics.

Allegations of a Coordinated Plan

According to the declassified appendix, the Clinton campaign allegedly devised a multi-faceted plan to associate Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to distract from Hillary Clinton’s own controversies, such as her use of a private email server. The plan reportedly involved disseminating unverified intelligence through intermediaries like CrowdStrike and ThreatConnect, which would then be amplified by major U.S. media outlets. The declassified documents suggest that Julianne Smith, a foreign policy advisor for Clinton, played a pivotal role in this operation.

One of the most striking allegations in the annex is the purported involvement of Leonard Benardo, a senior vice president at George Soros’ Open Society Foundations. Emails attributed to Benardo indicate that the Clinton campaign anticipated assistance from the FBI to “put more oil into the fire,” further intensifying scrutiny on Trump’s alleged ties to Russia. Notably, these emails claim that Clinton herself approved the idea of linking Trump and Russian hackers to U.S. election interference, describing it as a strategy to divert attention from her own email scandal.

The Role of Intelligence Agencies

The annex also delves into the role of U.S. intelligence agencies, particularly the FBI, in handling the so-called Clinton Plan intelligence. Despite receiving warnings that some of the information might originate from the Clinton campaign or even be Russian disinformation, the FBI reportedly dismissed these concerns without conducting a thorough investigation. The Durham report criticizes this lack of due diligence, arguing that it contributed to the politicization of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation into Trump’s alleged collusion with Russia.

Further complicating matters, the annex reveals that the CIA did not assess the authenticity of the intelligence until 2017, long after the 2016 election had concluded. By that point, the Trump-Russia narrative had already dominated political discourse and influenced public opinion. Critics argue that this delay in verification underscores systemic failures within the intelligence community.

Soros’ Alleged Involvement

George Soros, a billionaire philanthropist known for his support of progressive causes, has long been a polarizing figure in U.S. politics. The revelations about his Open Society Foundations’ alleged involvement in the Clinton campaign’s strategy have only intensified scrutiny. While Soros himself is not directly implicated, the purported actions of his ally Leonard Benardo have drawn significant attention.

According to Just the News, the emails attributed to Benardo outline a deliberate effort to manipulate public perception by leveraging media outlets and intelligence agencies. The report also highlights that the Clinton campaign’s Europe team, led by Julianne Smith, coordinated closely with these efforts. Smith’s extensive background, including her roles in the Obama administration and as the U.S. ambassador to NATO under President Biden, has further fueled speculation about high-level coordination.

Political and Public Reactions

The declassified findings have sparked a wave of reactions across the political spectrum. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley described the revelations as “one of the biggest political scandals and cover-ups in American history.” He criticized the Obama and Biden administrations for allegedly weaponizing intelligence agencies against political opponents, calling for urgent reforms to restore public trust.

Conversely, supporters of Clinton and Soros have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, questioning the reliability of the declassified documents. They argue that the timing of the release, coinciding with heightened political tensions, suggests an attempt to distract from other pressing issues.

As Fox News reported, the implications of the Durham report extend beyond partisan debates. The findings raise broader questions about the ethical use of intelligence and the potential consequences of blurring the lines between national security and political strategy. The controversy underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability within government institutions.

The declassified annex of the Durham report has reignited discussions about the intersection of politics, intelligence, and media. While the full extent of Soros’ involvement remains a matter of debate, the revelations have undoubtedly added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing discourse surrounding Russiagate and its aftermath.