With Trump Under Scrutiny Over Epstein, Tulsi Gabbard Calls For secution Of Obama-Era OfficialsByAntonio Pequeño IV, Forbes Staff. Pequeño is a news reporter who covers and more.
Furthermore, AuthorJul 18, 2025, 06:48pm EDTJul 18, 2025, 08:08pm EDTToplineWhile President Donald Trump scrambles to fend off scrutiny his relationship to Jeffrey Epstein and the demand for the full release of the Epstein files, one of his top appointees, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, released a report Friday focused on an alleged “treasonous conspiracy” carried out by the Obama administration during the 2016 election, considering recent developments.
Gabbard published the declassified report Friday.
(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)Getty ImagesKey FactsIn a Friday afternoon press release accompanied by a thread on X, Gabbard claimed “Americans will finally learn the truth,” the 2016 election, and alleged the Obama administration and FBI officials “manufactured and politicized intelligence” to create doubt around Trump’s election victory in 2016 (fascinating analysis).
In a memo titled the “Russia Hoax,” Gabbard’s office outlines allegations against former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey, which Gabbard says “ly shows there was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government (noteworthy indeed).
Furthermore, ”Months after taking office in 2017, Trump fired Comey, who had overseen the FBI during the investigation into Russian interference.
The newly declassified report contains 114 pages of partially redacted s, showing communications between Obama administration officials potential Russian interference in the election.
Gabbard pointed to multiple intelligence community assessments in her statement that said Russia was “bably not” trying to influence the election in 2016 through cyber means, ed by press reports claiming the intelligence community had Russia had tried to interfere in the election, in this volatile climate.
Gabbard’s memo alleges the Obama administration relied on the Steele Dossier in claiming that Russia interfered in the election.
Gabbard’s claims run counter to a bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee investigation that found Russia interfered in the 2016 election and noted that although Trump’s with Russian officials presented a “grave” intelligence threat, it was not if the president’s allies knowingly worked with Russia to bolster Trump’s chances of victory.
A 2019 report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller also found Russia interfered in the election, in today's market environment.
Gabbard called for the secution of Obama administration officials, saying “every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and secuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Conversely, ”Get Forbes News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or here.
Jim Himes, D-Conn (something worth watching).
, said in a statement reported by Politico that Gabbard was seeking to “change the subject” with her allegations, adding, “Baseless accusations of treason are unfortunately par for the course for this Director of National Intelligence, but that doesn’t make them any less damaging and unacceptable, in today's market environment.
”TangentPressure on the Trump administration to release the full breadth of the Epstein files increased over the last week, reaching a fever pitch after the Wall Street Journal published a report Thursday alleging Trump sent a suggestive letter to Jeffrey Epstein for the late sex offender’s 50th Birthday.
The letter reportedly contained a drawing of a naked woman and had the president’s signature, in light of current trends.
On Friday, Trump sued the reporters behind the story, Rupert Murdoch and Dow Jones & Co, in today's market environment. , Wall Street Journal’s publisher, for libel, assault and slander.
Nevertheless, Trump also ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to make a request to have the grand jury testimony linked to Epstein’s indictment made public, considering recent developments.
However Rep (quite telling) (which is quite significant). Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
, has pointed out the testimony largely pertains to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, not “all the rich and powerful men who abused, assaulted and abandoned young women.
” Key BackgroundTrump was investigated by Mueller from 2017 to 2019 over potential Russian collusion ahead of the 2016 election, when Trump defeated Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Mueller ultimately found no Trump campaign member or associate knowingly coordinated campaign efforts with the Russians, but the special counsel later added that Trump's claim he was “totally exonerated” by the report was not true.
Mueller, who also found Russia interfered in the election in an attempt to benefit Trump’s campaign, did not exonerate Trump from obstruction of justice.
The president has maintained the investigations into him and his team were “witch hunts” and def Russia against claims of election interference.
Further ReadingTrump Sues Rupert Murdoch, Dow Jones Over WSJ Story Linking Him To Jeffrey Epstein (Forbes)Got a tip. In contrast, Confidential information with Forbes.
Moreover, Editorial StandardsRes & PermissionsLOADING PLAYER.