The U.S. Department of Justice has formed a specialized “strike force” in response to newly declassified documents released by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The team has been tasked with reviewing evidence that alleges former President Barack Obama and top intelligence officials may have played a role in constructing the Trump–Russia collusion narrative leading up to and following the 2016 election.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the initiative on Wednesday, stating, “We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice.” She also praised Gabbard’s cooperation and transparency, calling her “a partner in accountability for the American people.”
The DOJ emphasized that the allegations regarding misuse of the intelligence community are being taken with “utmost seriousness.” According to sources familiar with the effort, the investigation may involve the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and no credible lead will be ignored.
Gabbard’s declassified documents suggest that Obama administration officials may have “manufactured” intelligence to initiate and sustain the Trump–Russia collusion narrative, despite internal intelligence assessments stating otherwise. The DOJ strike force will also examine if any legal consequences should follow.
Earlier this month, former CIA Director John Brennan was referred for criminal investigation by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, following a review of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA). The review pointed out rushed processes, procedural anomalies, and the inclusion of the now-debunked Steele dossier — a report funded by Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the DNC — as critical failings in the ICA.
That dossier, known for unverified and inaccurate claims, has since been discredited. Brennan is accused of pushing for its inclusion despite its lack of credibility, undermining the ICA’s key conclusions.
Alongside Brennan, former FBI Director James Comey is also facing criminal investigation. While details remain scarce, DOJ sources indicate that investigators are viewing their actions through the lens of a possible “conspiracy,” which could expand the scope of prosecution.
Further declassified documents suggest that following Trump’s 2016 election win, Obama and senior officials — including James Clapper, Susan Rice, John Kerry, Loretta Lynch, and Andrew McCabe — engaged in efforts to frame a narrative of Trump–Russia collusion. This was done despite lacking hard evidence and internal disagreement within the intelligence community.
Declassified congressional transcripts from 2017–2018 reveal a stark contrast between public narratives and what officials stated behind closed doors. Key figures like Clapper, Rice, Lynch, and Power either denied having direct evidence of collusion or offered vague, non-committal responses.
Clapper admitted under oath that he had never seen “empirical evidence” of a conspiracy between Trump’s campaign and Russia. Samantha Power said she had not come across such information, and Lynch stated she did not recall being briefed on any direct evidence. Rice, too, acknowledged that while some intelligence raised questions, none amounted to proof of coordination or conspiracy.
Investigators are also reassessing the impact of the Steele dossier, which Comey briefed Trump on during the presidential transition. Though funded by Clinton’s team, Brennan and Comey included its unverified content in their assessment, despite doubts about its legitimacy. Documents suggest they were aware that Hillary Clinton’s campaign had devised a strategy to link Trump to Russian interference as a political tactic.
Fox News obtained Brennan’s notes referencing Clinton’s alleged approval of a plan to “vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.”
In light of these revelations, Gabbard filed a criminal referral with the DOJ related to the newly declassified findings. On Wednesday, she released further evidence indicating that the intelligence community had no verified proof that Vladimir Putin preferred Trump, but that “implausible” intel was published at Obama’s direction to suggest otherwise.
Obama’s office issued a rare public statement dismissing the allegations as “bizarre” and politically motivated, insisting that the findings do not contradict broader conclusions that Russia sought to influence the election.
The statement referenced a bipartisan 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio, which maintained that Russia interfered in the election but found no vote manipulation.
As the DOJ proceeds with its investigations, the political and legal ramifications could be significant. The strike force’s mandate to probe alleged misuse of intelligence during a presidential election cycle is unprecedented.
Whether criminal charges follow remains to be seen, but the inquiry reflects a growing movement within the Justice Department to revisit foundational events of the Trump–Russia investigation — this time, with fresh eyes and newly revealed evidence.
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