Declassified documents unveiled by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard have raised serious questions about alleged manipulation of intelligence reports under the Obama administration.
Fox News reported that the documents accuse the Obama administration of politicizing intelligence to support the narrative that Russia attempted to influence the 2016 U.S. election, despite contrary assessments.
Gabbard's revelations suggest the intelligence community initially assessed Russia as unlikely to influence the 2016 election using cyber means. Yet, subsequent intelligence assessments painted a different picture of Russian interference. On December 7, 2016, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper noted that foreign adversaries did not alter the election outcome through cyberattacks.
Moreover, a Presidential Daily Briefing dated December 8, 2016, indicated that Russian actors had compromised an Illinois database but were unlikely to have altered vote results. The brief further emphasized that efforts did not reach a significant scale to change election outcomes. However, political pressure mounted shortly thereafter, culminating in a Situation Room discussion on December 9, 2016, to consider sanctions against Russian operatives allegedly involved in cyber activities.
Prompted by these discussions, President Barack Obama requested a new intelligence community assessment. The resulting report, released on January 6, 2017, is now under scrutiny for allegedly contradicting prior assessments. Intelligence officials have claimed that the production and findings of this assessment were influenced by political motives and sidelined dissenting intelligence.
Director Gabbard delivered a strong statement, asserting that high-level officials orchestrated a "treasonous conspiracy" during the 2016 election. Gabbard claims this conspiracy aimed to undermine the American people's choice and instigate a prolonged political crisis surrounding President Donald Trump's administration.
Tulsi Gabbard: "The information we are releasing today clearly shows there was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government. Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people and enact what was essentially a years-long coup with the objective of trying to usurp the President from fulfilling the mandate bestowed upon him by the American people."
The revelation of these documents has shifted attention to key figures such as former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey. Authorities have launched criminal investigations into both, though they have not yet disclosed specific charges.
Former President Trump voiced strong criticism of Brennan and Comey, calling them "very dishonest" and insisting they should face consequences. "I think they're crooked as hell," Trump said, emphasizing his belief that they engaged in dishonest conduct.
Gabbard pledged to hand over all related documents to the Department of Justice to ensure accountability. "The American people’s faith and trust in our democratic republic, and therefore the future of our nation, depends on it," she declared. She emphasized that transparency is essential to preserving democratic values.
Declassified documents also question the alleged use of the controversial Steele Dossier as a basis for the Trump-Russia investigation. This dossier has remained a contentious piece of evidence throughout the probe.
In conclusion, the declassified documents revealed by Tulsi Gabbard have raised questions about the Obama administration's alleged politicization of intelligence related to the 2016 election. The conflicting assessments on Russian interference, coupled with recent criminal investigations into former intelligence officials, underscore the contentious and polarizing nature of this issue. Gabbard's push for transparency highlights the need for accountability in maintaining public trust in democratic institutions.
