DOJ receives Tulsi Gabbard's criminal referral alleging Obama era's 'treasonous conspiracy' to undermine Trump 2016 win
Gabbard accused former President Barack Obama and his top intelligence team — including former DNI James Clapper, CIA Director John Brennan, and FBI Director James Comey — of orchestrating a 'treasonous conspiracy.'
'Americans will finally learn the truth about how in 2016, intelligence was politicised and weaponised... to lay the groundwork for what was essentially a years-long coup against President Donald Trump,' Gabbard wrote.
Gabbard's referral cites a December 9, 2016, meeting at the Obama White House, attended by Clapper, Brennan, Comey, and other top officials. According to her, Obama directed the Intelligence Community (IC) to craft a new intelligence assessment on Russian election interference.
"The next day (December 9, 2016), top national security officials, including FBI Director James Comey, CIA Director John Brennan and DNI James Clapper, gathered at the Obama White House to discuss Russia. Obama directed the IC to create a new intelligence assessment that detailed Russian election meddling, even though it would contradict multiple intelligence assessments released over the previous several months," Gabbard said in her statement.
Gabbard also accused Obama-era officials of orchestrating a media campaign to push the interference narrative. She claims classified details were leaked to major outlets to suggest that Russia hacked the election for Trump's benefit.
'Obama officials immediately leaned on their allies in the media to advance their falsehoods,' she stated. 'Anonymous IC sources leaked classified information... asserting Russia had intervened to hack the election in Trump's favor.'
In her statement, Gabbard demanded that 'every person involved in this conspiracy' be investigated and prosecuted by the DOJ.
'No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,' she declared. 'The American people's trust in our democratic republic depends on it.'
She confirmed that all supporting documents had been sent to the DOJ, adding, this is about justice — for President Trump, his family, and the American people.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
10 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Understanding Russia's Taliban gauntlet
On July 3, 2025, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced the recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) government, representing the culmination of Russia's recent overtures toward the Taliban. This followed the decision to upgrade diplomatic ties and officially accredit the Taliban's new ambassador, Gul Hassan, to Moscow. Now that the IEA flag is flying over the Afghan Embassy in Moscow, questions remain about the rationale behind Russia's choice to legitimise the Taliban regime. A change, two decades later Moscow's eagerness to cultivate diplomatic relations with the Taliban government stands in stark contrast to Russia's approach to the IEA's first iteration from 1996 to 2001. At that time, the Taliban were seen as hostile towards Russia. Moscow did not acknowledge their government and was forced to wind down its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan in 1997. Further, Russia provided military assistance to the Northern Alliance and helped its Central Asian allies stabilise the situation along the Afghan border against the terrorist threat. Complicating matters further, the Taliban, in 2000, recognised the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as an independent state and urged the Muslim world to declare a holy war on Russia to force it to stop its counter-terrorist operation in Chechnya. With an estimated 2,500 Chechen militants undergoing training in Taliban-controlled territories, Moscow considered launching 'preventive strikes' on terrorist camps in Afghanistan. In this context, it was unsurprising that Russia joined forces with the United States to adopt the United Nations' sanctions against the Taliban and provided logistical support to the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom, which was launched after 9/11. In 2003, the Taliban were included in the Russian list of terrorist organisations. As the international counter-terrorism mission in Afghanistan reached an impasse and the U.S. began to consider withdrawal, Moscow established unofficial contacts with the Taliban through its closer engagement with Pakistan in the early 2010s. This enabled Russia to protect its security interests in Afghanistan (with a focus on ensuring the safety of Russian citizens), collaborating against the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-K) and combating drug trafficking. Additionally, in a balance act between the Afghan government and the Taliban, Russia stepped up its diplomatic efforts to position itself as a venue for resolving the Afghan crisis. Despite being blacklisted by the UN and outlawed in Russia, the Taliban representatives were invited to participate in the Moscow Format and intra-Afghan conferences, as Russia attempted to increase its own regional influence and edge the U.S. out from Afghanistan. With the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August 2021, even as many other countries evacuated diplomatic personnel amid the lingering turmoil, the Russian Embassy in Kabul remained in operation — Moscow remained confident that the Taliban are capable of putting things in good order. Despite Russia's good rapport with the Taliban's dispensation, the persistent instability in Afghanistan has severely compromised its security interests, with terrorist attacks against the Russian Embassy in Kabul in September 2022 and the Crocus City Hall in Moscow in March 2024, purportedly carried out by the IS-K. There has been no meaningful progress in the economic projects either, though the Russian authorities continue to harbour hopes that Afghanistan will emerge as a conduit for Russian exports to South and Southeast Asia. The basis Russia's official recognition of the IEA government reflects Moscow's conviction that the Taliban are 'an objective reality' and the only political force capable of controlling power in Afghanistan. This is further reinforced by the perception of the Taliban as Russia's 'allies in countering terrorism', which seemingly laid the foundation for their de-listing in April 2025. It should be noted though that the Russian Supreme Court only suspended the ban on the Taliban activities, and the grouping is still on the Russian unified federal list of terrorist organisations. This suggests that the Russian security apparatus is not fully convinced by the Taliban's track record in combating terrorism, leaving scope to reverse the decision if the alliance with the Taliban proves to be a false dawn. The IEA's recognition is a symbolic gesture that does not bring Russia any immediate benefits and does not guarantee any upgrade to Moscow's position in Afghanistan or the wider region. While some Russian officials are insisting on supporting the Taliban, including 'arming them', it remains to be seen how far Moscow is willing to go and whether the joint fight against the IS-K will yield tangible results. As Russia has set a precedent by recognising the IEA, some Central Asian states and even China may well follow suit, especially given that the Taliban's expectations of their partners will certainly increase. Moscow's free pass to the Taliban regarding the inclusivity of their government, as well as women's and minority rights, may become a new template for other regional players who will prioritise pragmatism over value-based approach. Ties with India India will unlikely be seriously affected by the Russian move. New Delhi has fostered its own incremental improvement in diplomatic ties with the Taliban, having recently found common ground with them on the issue of terrorism in Kashmir. It is likely that New Delhi will keep up diplomatic communications, trade and humanitarian cooperation with the IEA, without deviating from its stance on the legitimacy issue. Engagement without formal recognition still seems to be the likely trajectory of India's Afghanistan policy. Harsh V. Pant is Vice President, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), New Delhi. Aleksei Zakharov is Fellow, Eurasia, Observer Research Foundation
India Today
10 minutes ago
- India Today
US, EU seal trade framework after Trump's tariff talks with top European leader
The United States and the European Union have agreed on a new trade deal, announced by former President Donald Trump on Sunday. Under the new framework, a 15% tariff will be applied to EU goods entering the US. In return, the EU has agreed to buy large amounts of American energy products and military equipment. However, the 15% tariff is still seen as a disappointing outcome for Europe, especially since the EU had initially hoped for a "zero-for-zero" deal—no tariffs on either side. Still, the current deal is better than the earlier threat of a 30% tariff, which had alarmed European leaders and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Scotland to meet Trump and finalise the agreement. Her visit was crucial in sealing the deal at the last minute. This is a developing story.- Ends
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
Good if US trade pact sealed by August 1, but nation first: Piyush Goyal
Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said it would be good if India and the US can do a trade agreement before August 1 but New Delhi's priority is to protect its national and public interests. "Koi deadline ke hisab se Bharat negotiate nahi karta (India doesn't negotiate its trade agreements based on deadlines)," Goyal added at an event in Mumbai on the opportunities for exports in the UK market following the bilateral free trade agreement. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Product Management Management Healthcare Data Analytics Data Science healthcare Design Thinking Public Policy Leadership Degree Operations Management Digital Marketing PGDM Artificial Intelligence Data Science Technology Others CXO Project Management Finance Cybersecurity MBA others MCA Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Roadmapping User-Centric Product Design Agile Product Development Market Analysis & Product Launch Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Product Strategy & Competitive Advantage Tactics Product Development Processes & Market Orientations Product Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making Agile Development, Design Thinking, & Product Leadership Duration: 40 Weeks IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Product Management Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Creating Effective Product Roadmap User Research & Translating it to Product Design Key Metrics via Product Analytics Hand-On Projects Using Cutting Edge Tools Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Product Management Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details He was responding to a question about the August 1 deadline when the US' reciprocal tariffs imposed on most countries, including India, are expected to come into force. The minister said the talks are going well with the US and India will do a good bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by October-November. American trade negotiators are slated to visit India in August for the next round of negotiations for the proposed BTA, the first tranche of which is aimed to be concluded by October. The fifth round of talks concluded in Washington last week. The countries aim to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion. The two sides were working to finalise an interim trade deal before August 1. "Our discussions with the United States are progressing very well. I am fully confident that by the October-November 2025 timeline, we will secure a good agreement," Goyal said. This was his first outreach programme with industry after the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed on July 24. Exporters from gems and jewellery and marine sectors, among others, participated in the event. "It is the most comprehensive free trade agreement India has ever entered with 30 chapters, including environment, gender, anti-corruption," Goyal said about CETA. "It has so many positives and new things that today the world wants to do business with India." He said India is in the process of finalising trade agreements with developed countries with whom it doesn't compete but complement. Whether it is New Zealand, Oman, the US, or the EU, India's agreements will be made with a "well-thought-out strategy" as the country negotiates from a position of strength and confidence, the minister said. He alleged that the previous UPA government had left Indian trade, farmers and fishermen to the mercy of a non-market economy by its move to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement between Asean countries and China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
