WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a report Friday accusing former Obama administration officials of manipulating intelligence about Russian interference in the 2016 election. Gabbard called the effort a “treasonous conspiracy” aimed at stopping Donald Trump from taking office. Her claims sparked sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who called the report politically motivated and inaccurate.

In a public statement, Gabbard said her office found evidence showing top intelligence officials worked to alter findings to damage Trump. She accused former officials, including ex-DNI James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former FBI Director James Comey, of trying to subvert the 2016 election outcome.

“The information we are releasing today clearly shows there was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016,” Gabbard said. “Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people and enact what was essentially a years-long coup.”

She also confirmed that her office is turning over materials to the Justice Department for possible criminal referrals. Republican leaders quickly praised the release. House Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X, calling it “DISMANTLING THE DEEP STATE!” and repeating Trump’s long-held view that the Russia investigation was a political attack.

Trump previously ordered the declassification of materials related to “Crossfire Hurricane,” the FBI’s investigation into Russian election meddling. Gabbard’s report leans heavily on the claim that no evidence showed Russia tried to change vote totals. However, that has never been in dispute. Multiple government reports have long stated that while Russia hacked into voter databases and spread disinformation, there was no proof of tampering with vote counts.

Democrats say Gabbard is twisting facts and ignoring years of bipartisan findings. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, called the accusations “baseless.” Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, also responded strongly. He said the report confuses two separate issues: attempts to hack election systems and efforts to influence public opinion.

“This is one more example of the director of national intelligence trying to cook the books,” Warner said. “We’re talking about apples and oranges.”

Warner emphasized that Russia’s influence campaign was real and well-documented. A three-year Senate investigation concluded that Russia used social media, stolen emails, and other tools to help Trump and hurt Hillary Clinton. The report had bipartisan support, including from Republicans like Sen. Marco Rubio, now secretary of state.

U.S. intelligence agencies and the Senate Intelligence Committee have repeatedly confirmed that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. They said Russia wanted to help Trump win by discrediting Clinton. While Russia gained access to voter data in states like Illinois and Arizona, they did not alter votes. The Obama administration never claimed Russia changed actual results, only that Moscow tried to sway public opinion.

Gabbard’s memo highlights an email from a Clapper aide noting President Obama’s request for an intelligence review. But experts say that was a normal move to ensure a complete assessment before Obama left office. Gabbard’s release came amid broader controversy surrounding the Trump administration, including new developments in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Democrats argue that the report is an attempt to shift focus and revive debunked claims.

Warner also noted that Gabbard has previously taken positions that appeared to politicize the intelligence community. He pointed out her support for pardoning Edward Snowden, who leaked classified NSA documents. “It is sadly not surprising that DNI Gabbard is once again weaponizing her position,” Warner said.

Despite her claims, intelligence leaders have continued to warn that Russia still aims to disrupt U.S. elections. A March 2025 report under Gabbard’s leadership found that Russia “probably believes” these influence campaigns benefit its strategic interests. The Gabbard report has reignited political fights over the 2016 election, intelligence community integrity, and foreign interference. Democrats insist that past investigations remain sound. Republicans argue that new scrutiny is overdue.

As the Justice Department reviews the documents Gabbard submitted, the long-running battle over Russian election meddling enters yet another chapter.