Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard has released declassified documents that she claims prove the Russian collusion narrative surrounding the 2016 U.S. presidential election was a fabricated hoax.
Gabbard said that these documents expose an effort by high-ranking officials to undermine Trump’s presidency.
What Documents Did Tulsi Gabbard Release?
On July 18, Gabbard announced the declassification of documents from the Obama administration era, which she says reveal a coordinated effort to push a false narrative about Russian interference in the 2016 election.
These documents include:
- A December 2016 Draft Intelligence Briefing: This report initially concluded that Russia had “no impact” on the 2016 election through cyberattacks.
- Whistleblower Emails: These emails suggest that key figures used the discredited Steele Dossier to support false claims of Russian collusion.
- Details on the January 6, 2017, Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA): This assessment, released just before Trump’s inauguration, claimed Russia intervened to help Trump win, contradicting earlier intelligence findings.
You can read the full press release from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence here: DNI Press Release.
What Did Gabbard Find?
Gabbard’s findings point to what she calls a “treasonous conspiracy” by top officials in the Obama administration.
She claims they manipulated intelligence to create a narrative that Russia hacked the 2016 election to favor Trump. According to Gabbard, the intelligence community initially agreed Russia lacked the intent and capability to influence the election.
However, after Trump’s victory, a new assessment was ordered that contradicted earlier findings.
Gabbard’s press release states: “The information we are releasing today clearly shows there was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government. Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people and enact what was essentially a years-long coup.”
The documents also reveal that anonymous sources leaked classified information to media outlets like The Washington Post, amplifying the false narrative.
A quote from the declassified documents highlights the manipulation: “According to whistleblower emails shared with us today, we know Clapper and Brennan used the baseless discredited Steele Dossier as a source to push this false narrative in the intelligence assessment.”
Who Was Involved?
Gabbard’s allegations target several high-profile figures from the Obama administration, including:
- Former President Barack Obama: Accused of directing the creation of a politicized intelligence assessment.
- Former DNI James Clapper: Named for unveiling the January 2017 ICA that pushed the collusion narrative.
- Former CIA Director John Brennan: Alleged to have used the Steele Dossier to support false claims.
- Former FBI Director James Comey: Implicated in the broader effort to weaponize intelligence against Trump.
These individuals have not publicly responded to Gabbard’s allegations as of July 18, 2025.
What’s the Proof?
The proof lies in the declassified documents, particularly the December 2016 draft briefing that found no significant Russian impact on the election.
This was reportedly pulled after a secret White House meeting led by Obama, replaced by the January 2017 ICA that claimed otherwise.
The whistleblower emails further suggest that the Steele Dossier, a controversial and unverified document, was used to justify the collusion claims despite its lack of credibility.
Gabbard argues this shows a deliberate effort to mislead the public and undermine Trump’s presidency.
What Happens Next?
Gabbard has sent the declassified documents to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for further investigation.
She has called for criminal prosecutions, stating, “No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.”
The DOJ has not yet confirmed whether it will launch formal investigations. The release has sparked heated discussions. Some, like journalist Catherine Herridge, have praised Gabbard’s efforts, noting on X that the documents provide “compelling evidence” that the collusion narrative was not rooted in credible intelligence.
Others, including critics of Gabbard, argue that her actions may be politically motivated.
Why This Matters
The Russian collusion narrative fueled years of investigations, including the Mueller probe, which found no sufficient evidence to charge Trump or his campaign with conspiracy.
Gabbard’s document release reignites debates about the politicization of intelligence and its impact on American democracy.
If her allegations are verified, they could lead to significant accountability measures.
Additional Context
Gabbard’s role as DNI has been controversial since her appointment.
Critics, including former intelligence officials, have raised concerns about her past statements on Russia and Syria, accusing her of echoing Kremlin talking points.
Despite this, Gabbard maintains that her actions are about restoring transparency and accountability to the intelligence community, as outlined in her April 2025 establishment of the Director’s Initiatives Group (DIG).
Tulsi Gabbard’s release of declassified documents has brought new attention to the Russian collusion narrative, alleging it was a deliberate hoax orchestrated by top Obama administration officials.
With evidence pointing to manipulated intelligence and the use of the discredited Steele Dossier, Gabbard is pushing for justice through DOJ investigations.
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