Justice Department reviews claims that Obama officials mishandled Russia election intelligence
Justice Department Opens Grand Jury Investigation
The Trump administration has directed federal prosecutors to initiate a grand jury probe into allegations that officials from former President Barack Obama’s administration fabricated intelligence related to Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. This development was confirmed by a source familiar with the investigation on Monday.
Formation of a DOJ Strike Force
Late last month, the Justice Department announced the creation of a special strike force to evaluate claims made by former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard regarding the “alleged weaponization of the U.S. intelligence community.” This strike force is tasked with reviewing the evidence to determine if criminal charges are warranted.
Key Figures and Actions
- Attorney General Pam Bondi personally ordered federal prosecutors to begin the grand jury proceedings.
- An unnamed prosecutor is expected to present the evidence to the grand jury, which may consider indictments if the Justice Department moves forward with a criminal case.
- The Justice Department declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Background: Gabbard’s Allegations and Trump’s Response
Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents claiming that top officials in the Obama administration orchestrated a “treasonous conspiracy” in 2016 to undermine Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. Republican President Donald Trump has strongly supported these claims, accusing former President Obama of treason — allegations that Obama’s team has vehemently denied.
Intelligence Community’s 2017 Assessment
In January 2017, the U.S. intelligence community released an assessment concluding that:
- Russia used social media disinformation, hacking, and bot farms to interfere in the 2016 election.
- The intent was to harm Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign and boost Trump’s chances.
- The actual impact on election outcomes was likely limited.
- Russia has denied involvement in any election interference.
What’s Next?
The grand jury investigation marks a significant escalation in the scrutiny of the 2016 election interference claims. The case is likely to intensify political tensions as the Justice Department examines whether criminal conduct occurred within the Obama administration related to intelligence handling.
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