Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has officially submitted a criminal referral to the Department of Justice, accusing top Obama-era officials of intentionally politicizing intelligence to create the basis for the now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion narrative following the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The Department of Justice confirmed the referral had been received, though it has not released any additional information on how the matter will proceed.
According to Gabbard, the referral includes over 100 unclassified documents that she claims reveal deliberate efforts by members of the former administration, including then-President Barack Obama, to cast doubt on Donald Trump’s election victory over Hillary Clinton.
“These documents show overwhelming evidence that intelligence was manipulated and weaponized to push a false story,” Gabbard stated. “This wasn’t just about politics — it was an attempt to undermine the democratic process itself.”
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate, described the alleged actions as part of a “treasonous conspiracy” to damage the incoming Trump administration before it took office. She emphasized that this issue should concern all Americans, regardless of political affiliation.
“This isn’t a partisan issue,” she said in a televised interview. “It’s about protecting the integrity of our democracy. No one — no matter how powerful — should be above the law.”
Since the release of the documents, Gabbard claims new whistleblowers have come forward, offering additional information related to internal decisions made within the intelligence community during the transition period between the Obama and Trump administrations.
Former President Trump reacted by sharing a video on social media referencing previous Democratic leaders’ statements that “no one is above the law,” followed by symbolic imagery of accountability.
At the time of writing, representatives for Barack Obama have not issued a public response, and the Biden administration has declined to comment.
Legal analysts note that while criminal referrals can be politically sensitive, the Department of Justice is obligated to review submitted materials and assess whether they meet the threshold for investigation or prosecution.
As the story continues to unfold, it is expected to reignite public debate over government transparency, political accountability, and the handling of intelligence in election-related matters.