Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has ignited a political firestorm by filing a formal criminal referral with the Department of Justice, alleging that senior Obama-era officials deliberately politicized intelligence to manufacture the Trump-Russia collusion narrative in the wake of the 2016 presidential election.
The DOJ has confirmed receipt of the referral but has yet to comment on any potential investigation or legal proceedings.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential contender, says the referral is backed by more than 100 unclassified documents. According to her, the evidence shows a concerted effort—allegedly involving then-President Barack Obama—to delegitimize Donald Trump’s election victory over Hillary Clinton.
“These documents provide overwhelming proof that intelligence was manipulated and weaponized to promote a false narrative,” Gabbard said. “This goes far beyond partisanship—it was a direct assault on the democratic process.”
Calling the alleged scheme a “treasonous conspiracy,” Gabbard urged Americans across the political spectrum to pay attention. “This isn’t about left or right. It’s about safeguarding the integrity of our democracy. No one—not even the most powerful—should be above the law.”
Since the release of the documents, Gabbard claims multiple whistleblowers have come forward with further details about internal decisions made within the intelligence community during the 2016–2017 transition.
Former President Trump responded swiftly on social media, posting a video montage of past Democratic leaders proclaiming that “no one is above the law,” followed by dramatic imagery alluding to justice and accountability.
As of now, representatives for Barack Obama have not issued a statement, and the Biden administration has declined to comment.
Legal experts caution that criminal referrals—especially in politically charged cases—do not guarantee prosecution, but the DOJ is legally obligated to review the submitted materials to determine whether they merit further investigation.
With new documents and whistleblower claims surfacing, the referral is poised to reignite fierce national debate over political accountability, election integrity, and the misuse of intelligence in American democracy.