Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard today released newly declassified documents suggesting that the Obama administration knowingly pushed false intelligence in 2016 to link Russia to U.S. election tampering. The move marks a significant escalation in ongoing political battles over the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation.
What the Documents Reveal
- A December 8, 2016 Presidential Daily Brief reportedly stated there was no evidence that Russian cyberattacks affected election infrastructure or altered vote outcomes.
- Intelligence memos from both September and December 2016 allegedly concluded that Russian cyber activity did not compromise vote counts, though Wilipedia shows the government later focused on Russian hacking of Democrats’ emails rather than election machinery.
Gabbard’s Accusations
- Gabbard charges that senior Obama-era figures — including John Brennan, James Clapper, and James Comey — orchestrated a “treasonous conspiracy” to discredit President Trump by politicizing and manufacturing intelligence.
- She said the effort included leaking false reports to the media to sustain the narrative of Russian collusion, which she alleges amounted to an attempt to overthrow a legitimately elected president.
- She has submitted the materials to the Department of Justice and is calling for criminal charges against those involved.
Critics Push Back
- Democratic leaders and intelligence veterans have dismissed Gabbard’s claims. Senator Mark Warner called the allegations “not competent,” referencing earlier bipartisan Senate investigations confirming Russian efforts to influence the election.
- Rep. Jim Himes argued the assertions are “rehashing decade-old false claims,” pointing to multiple reports that affirmed the legitimacy of the 2016 intelligence findings.
The Broader Context
A 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report confirmed that while Russia did interfere—most notably through email hacking and social media—no evidence emerged of vote manipulation.
The Gabbard revelations also coincide with intensified demands from Trump’s allies to release classified Epstein-related files, as the administration continues to challenge narratives on multiple fronts.
