Washington, D.C. — Newly declassified intelligence documents suggest the Obama administration “manufactured and politicized” evidence in 2016 to build the narrative that Russia interfered in the presidential election to help Donald Trump — despite internal assessments showing no direct impact on voting systems or election outcomes.
The documents were released Friday by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who said the evidence shows a deliberate effort by top Obama-era officials to initiate the years-long Trump–Russia investigation, even as intelligence reports at the time contradicted claims of significant interference.
“There was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government,” Gabbard told Fox News Digital. “Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people.”
Intelligence Reports Contradicted Narrative
Among the newly released materials is a December 8, 2016 Presidential Daily Brief, which stated:
“Russian and criminal actors did not impact recent U.S. election results by conducting malicious cyber activities against election infrastructure.”
The brief acknowledged Russia-linked cyber efforts — such as the compromise of an Illinois voter registration system — but concluded those attempts were unsuccessful and had “no notable disruptive effect.”
Furthermore, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper’s talking points on December 7 noted:
“Foreign adversaries did not use cyberattacks on election infrastructure to alter the U.S. presidential election outcome.”
Despite these findings, the next day, on December 9, 2016, a high-level White House meeting was held in the Situation Room involving CIA Director John Brennan, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Secretary of State John Kerry, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and others. There, officials discussed sanctioning Russia and producing a fresh intelligence assessment detailing how Moscow allegedly tried to sway the election.
Internal Disagreements and Withheld FBI Concerns
Fox News Digital also obtained internal FBI communications showing that the Bureau objected to the publication of the original intelligence brief and drafted a “dissent” due to unaddressed concerns. As a result, the release of the document was delayed.
Shortly after, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) instructed intelligence agencies — including the CIA, NSA, FBI, and DHS — to produce a new report “per the president’s request” on how Russia tried to influence the 2016 vote.
That report, released January 6, 2017, contradicted earlier assessments and served as the foundation for the Trump–Russia investigation and eventual Mueller probe.
However, officials now say the assessment ignored intelligence that showed Russia lacked both the intent and capacity to interfere in the election outcome. They also claim the final report included “manufactured” sources such as the now-discredited Steele dossier.
Leaks, False Claims, and the Fallout
According to Gabbard and intelligence officials, the Obama administration leaked selectively to the media, pushing claims that Russia had influenced the election — despite knowing there was no conclusive evidence.
The aftermath included years of investigations, political turmoil, strained U.S.-Russia relations, and the targeting of Trump aides, including former campaign adviser Carter Page, who was surveilled under a FISA warrant based partly on the Steele dossier.
“This egregious abuse of power and blatant rejection of our Constitution threatens the very foundation and integrity of our democratic republic,” Gabbard said.
She added that she has turned over all related materials to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution.
Criminal Investigations Launched
Fox News Digital confirmed that former CIA Director Brennan and ex-FBI Director James Comey are now under criminal investigation. The referrals came from CIA Director John Ratcliffe and FBI Director Kash Patel, who cited concerns about Brennan’s push to include the Steele dossier in the 2017 intelligence report, even after CIA analysts had dismissed it as unreliable.
“I think they’re crooked as hell,” said President Trump when asked about the ongoing investigations. “Maybe they have to pay a price for that.”
“Whatever happens, happens,” Trump added. “But they were dishonest people — very dishonest.”
