Correspondence to President Trump: Russia-Gate FOIA Record, FBI File, and Federal Referrals

This post documents a sequence of communications submitted to President Donald Trump concerning Russia-Gate-related evidence, FBI records, and ongoing FOIA litigation, along with resulting federal agency responses.

These communications reflect efforts to obtain federal records, clarify the scope of the FBI file, and document subsequent referrals and handling by the White House, Department of Justice, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Key Developments

  • White House correspondence was referred to the Department of Justice and subsequently to the FBI
  • The FBI acknowledged review by field offices and provided a projected response date of January 29, 2026
  • A subsequent FOIA request was submitted following that projected response timeline
  • The Department of Justice confirmed formal referral of records requests to the FBI

Initial Communication – FOIA Scope and Litigation Filing

September 18, 2025 – Initial submission describing narrowed FOIA request to Russia-Gate materials and filing of litigated FOIA appeal concerning FBI records.

Follow-Up – FBI File Scope Identified

September 22, 2025 – Follow-up noting FBI response indicating the existence of a 514-page file related to Russia-Gate, including potential recordings.

Excerpt from correspondence to President Trump regarding Russia-Gate FOIA records (Clip 3).

September 23, 2025 – Communication referencing FBI timeline (2018–2021), overlap with broader investigations, and University of Michigan involvement.

White House Response

White House Response to Correspondence Sent to President Trump (October 17, 2025) #1
White House Response to Russia-Gate Correspondence Sent to President Trump (October 17, 2025) #2


October 17, 2025 – Official White House response acknowledging correspondence but providing a general policy statement rather than addressing the specific Russia-Gate-related records.

FBI Acknowledgment of White House Referral

FBI Acknowledgment of Referral from President Trump Correspondence (October 21, 2025)

October 21, 2025, 2:37 PM – FBI acknowledgment confirming that correspondence was referred from the White House to the Department of Justice and subsequently to the FBI, where it was forwarded to appropriate field offices for review, with a detailed response expected by January 29, 2026.

Follow-Up – Bank of Ann Arbor / FBI Context

October 22, 2025 – Communication referencing Bank of Ann Arbor matter, local investigative issues, and prior FBI referral context.

Litigation Update

November 3, 2025 update regarding litigated FOIA appeal, including service of the complaint on the FBI, Department of Justice, and U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Additional Follow-Up – FOIA Appeal and Background Context

November 13, 2025 – Follow-up communication providing additional background and requesting clarification regarding Russia-Gate-related matters.

DOJ Update & Identification of Paul Cronin as Witness

February 3, 2026 – Communication referencing DOJ response to FOIA appeal, confirming that the requester was not the source of Russia-Gate allegations and identifying Dr. Paul Cronin as an individual with potential knowledge regarding the origin of those claims, including provision of detailed contact information for follow-up.

The above communication reflects a key development in the record.

Russia-Gate Allegations, FBI Involvement, and Paul Cronin Statements Referenced

February 26, 2026 correspondence to President Trump regarding Russia-Gate FOIA records.

February 26, 2026 – Communication to President Trump referencing Russia-Gate allegations, FBI involvement, and statements attributed to Paul Cronin regarding the origin of those claims.

FOIA Follow-Up Referencing White House Referral

FOIA Request Following President Trump FBI Referral (February 27, 2026)

February 27, 2026 – FOIA request submitted following prior FBI acknowledgment and expected response timeline, referencing White House referral (WP #25-416225 / WH #1023568).

DOJ Response and Referral Process

Department of Justice FOIA Referral to FBI Following President Trump Correspondence (March 4, 2026)

March 4, 2026 – Department of Justice response confirming receipt of the FOIA request and formal referral to the FBI as the component most likely to maintain responsive records.

Re-Notice (March 31, 2026)

This correspondence sequence continues with a formal re-notice submitted on March 31, 2026, referencing prior communications, the DOJ-confirmed FBI file, and ongoing FOIA litigation.

View Re-Notice

Record Context

  • A narrowed FOIA request focused on Russia-Gate-related FBI materials
  • Filing and progression of a litigated FOIA appeal
  • Confirmation of a multi-hundred-page FBI file
  • Direct communication with the White House
  • Routing of correspondence from the White House to the Department of Justice and subsequently to the FBI
  • FBI forwarding of the matter to appropriate field offices for review
  • FBI acknowledgment including a projected response timeline (January 29, 2026)
  • Subsequent FOIA follow-up referencing that timeline
  • DOJ receipt and formal referral of FOIA requests to the FBI
  • Continued follow-up communications documenting developments

Record Status

This correspondence chain forms part of an ongoing effort to document federal and institutional records related to Russia-Gate, including FOIA litigation, agency responses, and inter-agency referrals.

Additional documentation is maintained at:
https://www.hail2thevictims.com
FOIA & Government Transparency Archive

Author Image

Brad Foerster, MD PhD

Brad Foerster is a FOIA advocate documenting requests, transparency disputes, and accountability investigations involving public agencies, universities, police oversight, and Russia-Gate related inquiries. His work compiles original documents, timelines, and analysis of public records and institutional responses. Brad is also a board-certified radiologist, author of Town & Gown, and has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles. Brad lives in Potomac, Maryland with his family and is active in the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Takoma Park U.S. & World History Book Club.