The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a high-powered “strike force” to investigate newly declassified intelligence tied to the origins of the Trump-Russia collusion narrative—an explosive move that follows recent disclosures by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
The announcement comes on the heels of Gabbard’s release of a trove of previously classified documents, which she claims expose how senior Obama-era officials may have manipulated intelligence to falsely link Donald Trump to Russian operatives during the 2016 election.
According to a DOJ spokesperson, the elite unit—comprising veteran federal prosecutors and seasoned investigators—will examine all available evidence to determine whether criminal violations occurred and if prosecutions are warranted. Officials say the investigation is being conducted with “the utmost seriousness.”
“The Department of Justice is proud to work alongside Director Gabbard in pursuit of truth and accountability,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We will leave no stone unturned.”
Sources say the DOJ’s National Security Division will spearhead the inquiry, working in coordination with multiple federal agencies.
The strike force’s formation marks a dramatic escalation in the long-simmering controversy over the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), which concluded that Russia interfered in the election to help Trump. However, a recent internal review reportedly uncovered procedural lapses, questionable sourcing, and rushed timelines during the ICA’s preparation—raising doubts about its integrity.
Adding fuel to the fire, CIA Director John Ratcliffe earlier this month submitted a criminal referral to the FBI concerning former CIA Director John Brennan’s role in shaping the intelligence assessment, further intensifying calls for a full-scale investigation.
Now serving as the Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard has pledged continued transparency. She vows to release additional records and fully support the DOJ’s efforts.
“This isn’t about partisanship—it’s about truth and accountability,” Gabbard said in a Fox News interview. “Our institutions only work when those in power are held to the same standard as everyone else.”
The strike force is expected to scrutinize whether officials knowingly made false statements, abused their authority, or committed other crimes in advancing the now-discredited collusion narrative.
As the investigation gains momentum, both supporters and critics agree: the stakes are enormous, and the political aftershocks could reshape public trust in America’s intelligence and justice systems for years to come.