Former Obama administration officials named in new revelations surrounding the origins of the Trump–Russia investigation have been silent amid allegations they "manufactured" intelligence that led to the opening of the yearslong probe.
On Friday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents revealing "overwhelming evidence" that demonstrated how, after President Donald Trump won the 2016 election against Hillary Clinton, then-President Barack Obama and his national security team laid the groundwork for what would be the yearslong Trump–Russia collusion probe.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard says documents revealed that Obama administration officials allegedly "manufactured and politicized intelligence" to create the Russia hoax narrative. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Gabbard said the documents revealed that Obama administration officials "manufactured and politicized intelligence" to create the narrative that Russia was attempting to influence the 2016 presidential election, despite information from the intelligence community stating otherwise.
President Barack Obama (center) speaks to the media after meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch (left) and FBI Director James Comey (right) in the Oval Office July 19, 2016, in Washington. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
The new documents name former President Barack Obama, top officials in his National Security Council, then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, then-CIA Director John Brennan, then-National Security Advisor Susan Rice, then-Secretary of State John Kerry, then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and then-Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, among others.
Gabbard, on Monday, sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department related to those findings. DOJ officials did not share further details on whom the criminal referral was for.
Gabbard told Fox News Digital that this "is not a partisan issue," but one that "concerns every American."
Former Director of U.S. National Intelligence James Clapper (right) listens to former CIA Director John Brennan (left). (Gary Cameron/Reuters)
"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," Gabbard told Fox News Digital. "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."
Gabbard said the "egregious abuse of power and blatant rejection of our Constitution" by Obama-era officials "threatens the very foundation and integrity of our democratic republic."
"No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, to ensure nothing like this ever happens again," Gabbard said. "The American people’s faith and trust in our democratic republic, and therefore the future of our nation, depends on it."
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Gabbard added: "As such, I am providing all documents to the Department of Justice to deliver the accountability that President Trump, his family, and the American people deserve."
CIA Director John Ratcliffe testifies as the Senate Intelligence Committee holds its worldwide threats hearing in Washington, March 25, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/The Associated Press )
Gabbard’s criminal referral comes just a week after CIA Director John Ratcliffe sent a criminal referral for Brennan.
FBI Director Kash Patel opened a criminal investigation into Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey for potential wrongdoing related to the Trump–Russia probe, including allegedly making false statements to Congress, Justice Department sources told Fox News Digital.
None of the former Obama-era officials have responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.