GABBARD DECLASSIFIES RUSSIA FILES, ACCUSES OBAMA OFFICIALS OF ‘TREASONOUS CONSPIRACY’
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday released a second batch of declassified materials related to the U.S. intelligence community’s assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 election. In a fiery White House press briefing and a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gabbard accused top Obama-era officials of fabricating the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) that claimed Russia sought to aid Donald Trump’s candidacy.
Gabbard said the documents expose “deliberate manufacturing of false intelligence” and alleged that “a treasonous conspiracy was launched to subvert the will of the American people.” She repeated claims made in a prior release on Friday, in which she said the Obama administration coordinated a “years-long coup” against Trump, citing internal memos and reports compiled by the House Intelligence Committee’s GOP majority between 2017 and 2020.
Democrats Denounce Allegations, Warn of National Security Threat
Democrats swiftly rejected Gabbard’s interpretation of the documents, saying her allegations misrepresent intelligence findings and dangerously expose classified sources. Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner condemned the move, warning that “Director Gabbard is putting at risk some of the most sensitive sources and methods we have to monitor Russia.”
Warner added that the disclosures damage the trust of global allies and intelligence partners. “This reckless declassification sends a chilling message to the world: the United States can no longer be relied upon to protect shared intelligence,” he said. Former Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush also dismissed the latest claims, calling them “a weak attempt at distraction,” and emphasized that the fundamental conclusion — that Russia interfered in the 2016 election — remains unchallenged.
Focus on Disputed Intelligence and Interpretation of Putin’s Intentions
The newly released report, originally compiled by House Republicans, critiques the 2017 ICA, particularly the assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin favored Trump in 2016. It suggests analysts over-relied on a single human source and misinterpreted a key intelligence fragment. One passage, highlighted on page four, describes a line where Putin was reportedly “counting on” a Trump victory — a phrase that multiple intelligence officers reportedly interpreted in different ways.
The GOP-authored report also questioned the source’s proximity to Putin and alleged that analysts failed to consider alternative motivations behind Putin’s actions. Despite these concerns, a CIA tradecraft review published earlier this month reaffirmed the original assessment’s integrity, though it recommended reducing the confidence level of Putin’s preference for Trump from “high” to “moderate” due to the limited sourcing.
Gabbard Defends Actions, Calls for Justice Department Probe
At Monday’s briefing, Gabbard insisted the declassification was authorized by President Trump and necessary to “restore trust” in the intelligence community. She said the newly revealed documents had been forwarded to the FBI and Justice Department for review of possible criminal conduct.
When pressed by CBS News correspondent Ed O’Keefe on whether she believed former President Obama committed treason, Gabbard said she would leave that determination to the Justice Department, but reiterated her position: “What occurred was nothing short of a treasonous conspiracy.” She declined to elaborate on how the latest disclosures fundamentally alter prior findings, but emphasized that transparency is essential to prevent future politicization of intelligence.
Critics Question Timing and Motives Behind Disclosure
Democratic lawmakers and national security analysts questioned the timing of Gabbard’s actions, noting that the information could have been released during Trump’s first term or after his return to office. They suspect political motivations, especially as Gabbard’s moves coincide with renewed public scrutiny over unrelated scandals, including files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
“It’s appropriate that these disclosures come now, when attention is divided and accountability is murky,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, a longtime critic of GOP-led efforts to discredit the Russia investigation. “Let’s be clear: nothing in these documents changes the fundamental truth that Russia interfered in 2016 to sow discord — and our response should have been unity, not division.”
Meanwhile, the CIA declined to comment on Gabbard’s release, though internal reviews affirmed the overall credibility of the original 2017 assessment, stating that “most tradecraft used in the ICA was consistent with analytic standards.”
Intelligence Community Braces for Fallout, Allies Monitor Closely
Current and former intelligence officials expressed concern that the unredacted release of raw intelligence and signals intercepts could have lasting consequences for U.S. operations. The report includes references to human sources and National Security Agency intercepts that experts fear could be used by foreign adversaries to identify methods or informants.
“This isn’t just about politics anymore — it’s about the safety of people who risk their lives for U.S. national security,” a former senior intelligence official told CBS News. “We’re now in uncharted territory, where political actors are treating intelligence like campaign material.”
As the implications of the release ripple through Washington and beyond, the broader intelligence community is now grappling with what officials call a new precedent — one that could reshape how future assessments are compiled, shared, and, possibly, weaponized.
