# Opposition Research Report: Fiona Hill and the Russia Investigation Web [[Fiona Hill]], the British-born former Trump National Security Council official, sits at the center of a complex web of connections linking the discredited Steele dossier, the Clinton campaign's opposition research operation, and the [[FBI]]'s controversial Russia investigation. This report examines Hill's role in facilitating one of the most consequential political scandals in U.S. history and analyzes potential criminal liability issues. ## Executive Summary Hill's testimony during [[Trump]]'s first impeachment was characterized by fierce opposition to Republican theories about Ukrainian election interference, yet her own connections to the Russia investigation apparatus reveal significant conflicts of interest. As a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution—a think tank with substantial Democratic donor funding—Hill introduced [[Igor Danchenko]] to [[Christopher Steele]], facilitating the creation of the discredited dossier that would later be used to justify surveillance of Trump campaign officials. Her subsequent role in the Trump administration, despite these compromising connections, raises serious questions about her [motives and loyalties](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fiona-hill-brookings-steele-dossier). ## Background and Career Trajectory Hill's rise from County Durham coal mining family to Washington establishment insider follows a predictable academic-bureaucratic trajectory. After attending Harvard University, she became entrenched in the liberal foreign policy establishment, working at the [Brookings Institution](https://www.brookings.edu/people/fiona-hill/) from 2000 onward with only brief interruptions for government service. Her academic work focused on Russia, making her a natural conduit for intelligence operations targeting Trump's alleged Russian connections. ## The Brookings-Clinton-Dossier Connection ### Institutional Ties and Funding The Brookings Institution, Hill's primary institutional home, has extensive connections to Democratic donors and Clinton-aligned interests. [[Hillary Clinton]]'s biggest donor, billionaire [[Haim Saban]], is also one of [Brookings' biggest fundraisers](https://observer.com/2016/08/think-tank-smells-like-corporate-money-for-clinton/). The institution has been criticized for advancing agendas important to corporate donors while benefiting from tax-exempt status. [[Strobe Talbott]], the former Brookings president who provided Hill with the Steele dossier just before it became public, is a college friend of [[Bill Clinton]] who worked in the Clinton State Department. This connection illustrates the incestuous relationship between the think tank and Clinton political networks. ### The Danchenko Introduction Hill's most damaging connection involves her introduction of [[Igor Danchenko]] to [[Christopher Steele]] around 2011. According to declassified [[FBI]] records, Steele told the bureau that "Hill has a very high opinion of the primary subsource, and she told Steele that he and Orbis should take a look at him. Hill is one of [Steele's close friends](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/1980777/declassified-fbi-notes-show-steele-claimed-fiona-hill-knew-about-dossier-source/)". This introduction proved consequential: [[Igor Danchenko]] became Steele's primary source for the dossier, and Durham's investigation later revealed that Danchenko fabricated key allegations, including claims about a "well-developed conspiracy" between Trump and Russia. The [[FBI]] had previously investigated Danchenko as a suspected Russian intelligence asset, yet Hill's endorsement helped legitimize him as [a source](https://www.heritage.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/LM306_1.pdf). ### Hill's Knowledge and Denials Despite clear evidence of her role in connecting Steele and Danchenko, Hill claimed ignorance about the dossier's creation. In 2019 testimony, she stated: "I have no knowledge whatsoever of how he developed that dossier — none". However, declassified [[FBI]] records contradict this claim, showing that Steele contacted Hill when he was worried about Danchenko and that ["Hill knows that the primary subsource was involved in the dossier"](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/1980777/declassified-fbi-notes-show-steele-claimed-fiona-hill-knew-about-dossier-source/). Hill also worked with Danchenko for years at Brookings, co-authored papers with him, and wrote him a LinkedIn recommendation in 2011, praising his "extensive network of professional research connections". This long-standing professional relationship makes her claimed ignorance about [Danchenko's involvement in the dossier](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/1478808/who-is-igor-danchenko-the-steele-dossier-source-charged-by-john-durham/) implausible. ## Role in Trump Administration Despite her compromising connections to the Clinton-funded opposition research operation, Hill accepted a position as Trump's senior director for European and Russian affairs in [[April 2017]]. This timing is significant: Hill joined the administration during the height of the Russia investigation that relied heavily on the dossier she helped facilitate. ### Impeachment Testimony Strategy Hill's [[November 2019]] impeachment testimony served multiple strategic purposes beyond defending Ukraine policy. Her aggressive attacks on Republican theories about Ukrainian election interference effectively deflected attention from her own role in the Russia investigation scandal. By positioning herself as a defender of established intelligence community conclusions, she avoided scrutiny of her personal connections to the discredited dossier. Her testimony was praised by Democrats and mainstream media as ["extraordinary" and "scathing,"](https://www.vox.com/2019/11/21/20975734/impeachment-hearings-read-fiona-hills-opening-statement) but viewed through the lens of her dossier connections, it appears calculated to protect her reputation and that of the broader Russia investigation apparatus. ## Durham Investigation Findings Special Counsel [[John Durham]]'s investigation revealed the extent to which the Steele dossier was fabricated by Danchenko and other Clinton-aligned sources. Durham's team found that ["the FBI was not able to corroborate a single substantive allegation contained in the Steele Reports"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steele_dossier). The investigation also exposed how the [[FBI]] relied on the dossier for FISA warrants against [[Carter Page]] despite knowing it originated from a political campaign. Durham criticized the [[FBI]] for being ["too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U1U-2vhaQc). While Hill was not directly charged in Durham's investigation, her role in facilitating the dossier's creation through her introduction of Danchenko to Steele makes her a key figure in what Durham characterized as a "joint venture" to produce false opposition research against Trump. ## OIG Report Implications The Justice Department Inspector General's report found 17 errors or omissions in FISA warrant applications that relied on the Steele dossier. While Hill is not mentioned specifically in the declassified portions of the OIG report, her role in the dossier's creation chain makes her complicit in the surveillance abuses that followed. The OIG report confirmed that the dossier's primary source (Danchenko) "contradicted the allegations of a 'well-developed conspiracy'" and told the [[FBI]] much of what he provided was "word of mouth and hearsay". Hill's endorsement of Danchenko to Steele helped legitimize this unreliable source. ## Congressional and Government Connections Hill's rise through the foreign policy establishment demonstrates typical "revolving door" patterns between academia, think tanks, and government service. Her positions included: - National Intelligence Officer for Russia and Eurasia (2006-2009) under both Bush and Obama administrations - Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution (2000-2006, 2009-2017) - Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs (2017-2019) This career trajectory provided Hill with extensive access to classified information and senior officials across multiple administrations, enhancing her value as a conduit for intelligence operations. ## Legal Analysis and Criminal Liability Assessment ### Potential Federal Criminal Exposure **Conspiracy Charges**: Hill's role in introducing Danchenko to Steele, combined with her subsequent denials of knowledge about the dossier, could potentially support conspiracy charges if prosecutors can prove she knowingly participated in a scheme to provide false information to federal investigators. The evidence suggests she was aware of Danchenko's work with Steele despite her denials. **False Statements (18 U.S.C. § 1001)**: Hill's testimony claiming no knowledge of the dossier's development appears contradicted by [[FBI]] records showing Steele contacted her about Danchenko and that she knew of his involvement. If made under oath or to federal investigators, these statements could constitute federal crimes. **Perjury**: If Hill's denials about dossier knowledge were made under oath during congressional testimony or other proceedings, they could support perjury charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1621. **Obstruction of Justice**: Hill's role in legitimizing Danchenko as a source, followed by denials of knowledge, could potentially constitute obstruction of the Durham investigation or other proceedings examining the dossier's origins. ### State-Level Exposure State attorneys general could potentially pursue charges related to fraud or conspiracy if Hill's actions involved deceptive practices that had impacts within their jurisdictions. However, the primarily federal nature of the conduct makes state prosecution less likely. ### Professional License Issues Hill's academic credentials and security clearances could be subject to review based on her involvement in providing false information to federal investigators. Her position at Durham University as Chancellor could also face scrutiny if criminal charges were brought. ### Civil Liability Hill could face civil litigation from individuals who were surveilled or investigated based on the discredited dossier, particularly if her role in facilitating its creation can be established. [[Carter Page]], who was surveilled under FISA warrants based on dossier allegations, would have potential civil claims. ### Assessment of Prosecution Likelihood While Hill's connections to the dossier scandal are concerning, successful prosecution would face several challenges: 1. **Statute of Limitations**: Some potential charges may be time-barred 2. **Intent Requirements**: Prosecutors would need to prove Hill knowingly participated in providing false information 3. **Political Considerations**: Hill's status as a Trump administration critic complicates prosecution decisions However, the documentary evidence of her role in connecting Steele and Danchenko, combined with her denials of knowledge, provides a stronger foundation for potential charges than exists for many other figures in the Russia investigation scandal. ## Conclusion [[Fiona Hill]]'s role in the Russia investigation scandal extends far beyond her later testimony during Trump's impeachment. Her introduction of [[Igor Danchenko]] to [[Christopher Steele]] facilitated the creation of a discredited dossier that was used to justify surveillance of American citizens and fuel years of political controversy. Her subsequent denials of knowledge about the dossier's development, despite clear evidence of her involvement, raise serious questions about her truthfulness and potential criminal liability. Hill's trajectory from Brookings Institution fellow to Trump administration official to impeachment witness reveals the interconnected nature of the Washington establishment's efforts to undermine Trump's presidency. Her case demonstrates how academic credentials and institutional affiliations can be weaponized for political purposes while shielding participants from accountability. The Durham investigation's findings make clear that the Russia investigation was built on fabricated evidence facilitated by figures like Hill. Her continued prominence in foreign policy circles, including her recent appointment as Chancellor of Durham University, suggests the establishment's willingness to reward those who served its interests regardless of their role in one of the most consequential political scandals in American history.