The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from a former Trump campaign aide seeking to revive a lawsuit over secret surveillance conducted during the Russia investigation.
The decision effectively ends the legal challenge brought by Carter Page, who was a foreign policy adviser to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Page had sued the federal government, alleging that the surveillance was unlawful and violated his privacy rights.
The case stemmed from a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant obtained by the FBI in 2016 to monitor Page's communications, based on information that included the controversial Steele dossier. Later reviews found significant errors and omissions in the warrant applications.
The Supreme Court's refusal to take up the case means a lower court's dismissal of the lawsuit stands, marking a significant legal defeat for Page. The court did not comment on its decision, which was issued without dissent.
Page's attorneys had argued that the surveillance was politically motivated and part of a broader effort to undermine the Trump campaign. The Justice Department had urged the court to reject the appeal, maintaining that the surveillance was properly authorized and necessary for national security.
This development closes another chapter in the legal aftermath of the Russia investigation, which has generated numerous lawsuits and counterclaims.