New York Times still thinks they are a credible source of news, and can make up anything they want. It’s either they think that, or they are monkey see, monkey do like Schiff who so far gets away with it.
More spin:
Mr. Horowitz found no evidence that Mr. Halper tried to infiltrate the Trump campaign itself, the people familiar with the draft report said, such as by seeking inside campaign information or a role in the organization. The F.B.I. also never directed him to do so, former officials said. Instead, Mr. Halper focused on eliciting information from Mr. Page and Mr. Papadopoulos about their ties to Russia.
While I don’t trust the New York Times there are no reasons to trust Horowtiz either.