While Donald Trump has kicked off his 2020 presidential campaign in Florida reiterating a vow to bring "deep state" figures out into the open, AG William Barr's "investigation of investigators" is gaining steam. Wall Street analyst Charles Ortel has shared his views on the role of Barack Obama and his team in the so-called "spygate" case.

Attorney General William Barr's investigation into the origins of the FBI's 2016 Trump-Russia "collusion" probe has prompted deep concerns among US intelligence officials, especially given the US president's decision to grant AG Barr sweeping powers.

Some former US spooks argue that the probe may thwart US counterintelligence efforts aimed against Russia, citing Moscow's alleged interference in the US 2016 elections, something that the Russian leadership resolutely denies.

"If Barr discloses the identities of CIA and CI sources providing information on Russia he is disabling our intelligence capacities to Russia's advantage", claimed former FBI special agent Asha Rangappa on 24 May via Twitter.