A newly declassified intelligence report alleges that Russian spies obtained sensitive Democratic National Committee (DNC) communications claiming top Democrats—including then-President Barack Obama—were seriously alarmed by Hillary Clinton’s health in 2016, including reports that she was taking “heavy tranquilizers” and suffering from “psycho-emotional problems.”
The document, released by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, was compiled by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence based on a 2020 investigation originally launched by then-Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA). It had remained classified until now and was stored in a secure vault at CIA headquarters.
Russian Intel Allegations: Clinton’s Health and the ‘Distract from Email Scandal’ Strategy
According to the report, Russian intelligence claimed to possess internal DNC information indicating that Clinton’s health was seen as a major liability. The material reportedly said that Democratic leaders were concerned Clinton’s condition could hurt her election chances. Alleged diagnoses included diabetes, ischemic heart disease, COPD, and deep vein thrombosis, as well as behavioral issues like “uncontrolled fits of anger, aggression, and cheerfulness.”
The Russians also reportedly intercepted communications suggesting Clinton was taking heavy tranquilizers and that her campaign had approved a plan to link Donald Trump to Russian hackers in an attempt to divert attention from the scandal surrounding her private email server.
Brennan and the ‘Implausible’ Intelligence on Putin Favoring Trump
The report further alleges that then-CIA Director John Brennan ordered the release of 15 previously unpublished intelligence reports after the 2016 election, three of which were deemed “substandard”—containing unverifiable or biased information. These reports were foundational to the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) that concluded Russian President Vladimir Putin had a “preference” for Donald Trump over Clinton.
Despite internal warnings from senior CIA officials that they lacked direct evidence of Putin favoring Trump, Brennan allegedly pushed forward with the narrative. The committee found that more credible intelligence contradicting that conclusion was ignored or selectively quoted.
“The ICA misrepresented these reports as reliable, without acknowledging their flaws,” the report stated, calling the assertion that Putin preferred Trump “implausible—if not ridiculous.”
Gabbard: Obama Admin ‘Deliberately Misled’
At a White House briefing, DNI Tulsi Gabbard said the intelligence community, under Obama, “mischaracterized” information and leaned heavily on discredited sources like the Steele dossier. She accused former intelligence officials of creating a false narrative that Russian interference was aimed at helping Trump win.
“High-level DNC emails outlined Clinton’s psycho-emotional instability and use of tranquilizers,” Gabbard said. “Yet Brennan and the IC pushed the narrative that Putin wanted Trump, ignoring contrary intelligence.”
Durham, Mueller, and the Clinton Plan
Special Counsel John Durham’s report, which followed Robert Mueller’s investigation, found no evidence of criminal conspiracy between Trump and Russia. Durham criticized the FBI for failing to properly assess intelligence that Clinton’s campaign approved a plan to falsely associate Trump with Russian interference as a political tactic.
“The FBI failed to act on warning signs that it was being manipulated,” Durham’s report concluded. It also said that the Clinton Plan intelligence was never seriously weighed in the early stages of the FBI’s “Crossfire Hurricane” probe.
Obama Team, DNC Officials Deny Claims
Neither Clinton nor Obama has commented publicly on the newly declassified report. However, a spokesperson for Obama called the allegations “bizarre and ridiculous,” dismissing them as partisan distractions.
“The findings do not undercut the well-established conclusion that Russia tried to interfere in the 2016 election,” the spokesperson said, citing a 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report.
Background: CIA Briefed Obama on Clinton’s Anti-Trump Plan
According to the report, then-CIA Director Brennan briefed Obama on July 28, 2016, about a Clinton campaign plan to stir up a scandal by tying Trump to Russian intelligence. The briefing was attended by high-level officials including FBI Director James Comey, Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
The CIA later shared this information with the FBI via a Counterintelligence Operational Lead (CIOL), which became part of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. Yet, Durham concluded this intelligence was sidelined in favor of the more speculative Trump-Russia collusion theory.
Bottom Line
The declassified report challenges the origins and integrity of the Obama administration’s post-election assessment that Putin favored Trump in 2016. It also raises questions about the Clinton campaign’s internal awareness of health issues and alleged efforts to manipulate public perception during the election.
Though critics call the claims unsubstantiated and politically motivated, the release of this long-classified document adds new fuel to the yearslong debate over what really drove the Trump-Russia investigation—and who was behind it.
