Senator Eric Schmitt | U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt
Senator Eric Schmitt | U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt
Senator Eric Schmitt raises questions about FBI actions and campaign coordination in 2016
Senator Eric Schmitt posted a series of tweets on July 31, 2025, raising concerns about the relationship between political operatives and federal law enforcement agencies during the lead-up to the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation.
In one tweet, Senator Schmitt referenced an email involving Benardo, stating: "Perhaps, most concerningly, in the same email Benardo added that the FBI would soon 'put more oil into the fire.' Why did a top Soros Lieutenant know what the FBI was going to do?" (July 31, 2025).
He continued by questioning the origins of broader efforts to monitor or control online information. In another post from July 31, he wrote: "Worse still, the entire censorship industrial complex may have began in this single interaction."
Senator Schmitt also alleged knowledge within political circles prior to major investigative actions by federal authorities. He stated: "This means that the Clinton campaign was plotting to link Trump to Russia four days before the FBI launched its Crossfire Hurricane investigation and seemed to know that the investigation was coming." (July 31, 2025).
The Crossfire Hurricane investigation was initiated by the FBI in July 2016 to examine potential links between associates of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and Russian officials. Subsequent reviews—including a Department of Justice Inspector General report—found procedural errors but no evidence that political bias influenced opening of the probe. The involvement of political campaigns and third-party organizations has been a subject of ongoing debate and congressional inquiry.
The term "censorship industrial complex," referenced by Senator Schmitt, is used by some critics who allege coordinated efforts among government agencies and private sector entities to moderate or restrict certain content online. These claims have prompted calls for greater transparency regarding interactions between technology companies and government officials.
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