Tulsi Gabbard, the former Director of National Intelligence, made headlines on Friday by referring a declassified 2016 intelligence memo to the Department of Justice (DOJ), suggesting a review for potential criminal investigation. The memorandum in question concluded that Russia did not significantly influence the 2016 presidential election, a finding that contradicts statements from senior Obama administration officials, such as ex-CIA Director John Brennan and then-FBI Director James Comey.
The memo, accessible due to Gabbard's declassification efforts, relayed to President Barack Obama that neither Russian nor criminal actors had materially affected the 2016 U.S. election outcomes by engaging in malicious cyber activities against election infrastructure. Furthermore, the document stated that such criminal activities lacked the "scale and sophistication necessary to change election outcomes." Despite these findings, the investigation into Russian collusion moved forward, becoming a contentious point in U.S. politics and casting a shadow over Donald Trump's first presidential term.
The subsequent investigation, which encompassed the Mueller probe and two congressional impeachments, not only shaped public opinion but also incurred an estimated $40 million in taxpayer funds. In addition, the narrative of Russian collusion was instrumental in influencing perceptions during the lead-up to the 2018 midterm elections.
In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Gabbard elaborated on her decision to release over 100 documents that, she asserts, outline intentional political maneuvers by top U.S. officials. According to Gabbard, these actions aimed to craft a politicized intelligence narrative that would undermine the 2016 election results and weaken Trump's presidency. She also highlighted the damage inflicted on Trump’s allies as a consequence of this narrative.
Gabbard's assertions extend beyond the monetary costs and political ramifications to encompass the geopolitical sphere, noting that the perpetuated collusion story escalated tensions between the United States and Russia. She emphasized the need for accountability to restore public trust in government, warning that inaction could further erode confidence in the democratic system.
The DOJ has reportedly initiated a probe into the roles of Brennan and Comey, with a specific focus on testimony given by Brennan to Congress. Investigators are scrutinizing whether Brennan lied about his use of the Steele dossier in the Intelligence Community Assessment. Although the statute of limitations for perjury has lapsed, DOJ officials are contemplating charges related to conspiracy to commit perjury, with further investigations potentially on the horizon.
The declassification of the memo and its referral to the DOJ by Gabbard opens the door to a new chapter in the ongoing saga of the 2016 election's aftermath. It is yet another development in the complex narrative of U.S. politics, where truth and accountability remain paramount in the public's trust.
