U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury probe into allegations that members of Democratic former President Barack Obama’s administration manufactured intelligence on Russia’s interference within the 2016 elections, a source aware of the matter mentioned on Monday (August 4, 2025).
The Justice Department mentioned late final month it was forming a strike pressure to assess claims made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard about “alleged weaponization of the U.S. intelligence community.”
Republican U.S. President Donald Trump has leaped on feedback from Ms. Gabbard by which she threatened to refer Obama administration officers to the Justice Department for prosecution over an intelligence evaluation of Russian interference.
Fox News first reported that Ms. Bondi personally ordered an unnamed federal prosecutor to provoke authorized proceedings and the prosecutor is anticipated to current division proof to a grand jury, which might think about an indictment if the Justice Department pursued a legal case. The report cited a letter from Ms. Bondi and a source. A DOJ spokesperson declined to remark.
Last month, Mr. Trump accused Mr. Obama of treason, alleging, with out offering proof, that the Democrat led an effort to falsely tie him to Russia and undermine his 2016 presidential marketing campaign. Mr. Trump received the 2016 election in opposition to Democrat Hillary Clinton.
A spokesperson for Mr. Obama had denounced Mr. Trump’s claims, saying “these bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.”
Ms. Gabbard had declassified paperwork and mentioned the data she launched confirmed a “treasonous conspiracy” in 2016 by prime Obama officers to undermine Mr. Trump, claims that Democrats referred to as false and politically motivated.
An evaluation by the U.S. intelligence neighborhood printed in January 2017 concluded that Russia, utilizing social media disinformation, hacking, and Russian bot farms, sought to harm Clinton’s 2016 presidential marketing campaign and bolster Mr. Trump, who received that election.
The evaluation decided the precise influence was seemingly restricted and confirmed no proof that Moscow’s efforts really modified voting outcomes. Russia has denied it tried to intrude in U.S. elections.
