In a recent White House press briefing, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, addressed inquiries about the possibility of Jeffrey Epstein's connections to intelligence agencies and revealed allegations of a plot against former President Donald Trump. The questions came in light of Epstein's controversially lenient 2008 plea deal and subsequent speculation about his alleged links to intelligence operations.
When pressed by a reporter from the Daily Mail on Wednesday about Epstein's potential ties to foreign or domestic intelligence, Gabbard responded, "I haven’t seen any evidence or information that reflects that." However, she emphasized her support for transparency, aligning with the President's stance that any credible evidence should be disclosed to the public.
The scrutiny around Epstein intensified after a 2008 plea deal where he served just 13 months despite serious charges and numerous victims ready to testify. This deal, negotiated by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, who later remarked that he had been informed of Epstein's supposed intelligence connections, had puzzled federal prosecutors. Acosta went on to hold a position in the Trump administration as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
While no concrete evidence has been brought forward to substantiate these claims, Gabbard's remarks neither confirmed nor outright dismissed them. Attorney General Pam Bondi also stated earlier this month that she had no knowledge of Epstein being linked to any intelligence agencies.
The press briefing wasn't solely focused on Epstein. Gabbard also accused former President Barack Obama and key intelligence leaders, including former DNI James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former FBI Director James Comey, of a "treasonous conspiracy" to undermine Trump's presidency. She cited newly declassified documents that she claimed would concern every American about the integrity of the nation's democratic processes.
Gabbard pointed to the Steele dossier, a document containing allegations about Trump's ties to Russia, which has been largely discredited. She accused Brennan of insisting on its inclusion in intelligence briefings despite its questionable authenticity. Gabbard also criticized the media for allegedly collaborating with anti-Trump intelligence figures, contributing to public deception and political destabilization.
The released documents, according to Gabbard, will be referred to the Department of Justice and the FBI for further investigation. She described the actions detailed in the documents as "a years-long coup and treasonous conspiracy against the American people" and an attempt to sabotage Trump's administration.
