Gabbard Refers Whistleblower and Watchdog to DOJ Over Trump Impeachment
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard asked the Justice Department to open inquiries into two former government officials. A spokesperson said Gabbard drafted criminal referrals for a whistleblower and a former intelligence community inspector general.
Nature of the referrals
The office did not specify alleged crimes in the referrals. Prosecutors at the Justice Department will decide whether to open criminal investigations.
The referrals followed Gabbard’s public criticism of how former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson handled a 2019 whistleblower complaint. Her office also released a batch of documents linked to Atkinson.
What the original complaint alleged
The whistleblower filed an “urgent concern” about President Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. The complaint raised alarm over a July 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
It said the president sought investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden. The filing also questioned how call records were handled and Rudy Giuliani’s role in U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Political and legal context
House lawmakers impeached Mr. Trump in late 2019. The Senate acquitted him in early 2020, largely along party lines.
Mr. Trump has denied wrongdoing and described the phone call as “perfect.” Gabbard said intelligence community “deep state actors” created a false narrative used to justify impeachment.
Responses and developments
Michael Atkinson was dismissed by Mr. Trump in 2020. After his removal, Atkinson said he had faithfully carried out his duties and served without partisan favor.
Neither Atkinson nor the Justice Department immediately responded to requests for comment. The referral was first reported by Filmogaz.com.
Broader implications and reactions
The criminal referrals continue efforts by some administration officials to revisit disputes from Trump’s first term. Last year Gabbard’s office released files tied to the intelligence community’s review of 2016 Russian election interference.
Her office claimed those files showed a “treasonous conspiracy” by Biden-era officials. She said she would forward those documents to the Justice Department for potential criminal referral.
- Several figures tied to the Russian interference inquiry have been subpoenaed in a Florida probe.
- Former CIA Director John Brennan is among those subpoenaed.
- No criminal charges have been filed in that investigation.
Criticism from lawmakers
Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, sharply criticized the referral. He defended the 2019 whistleblower, saying they showed courage and principle.
Himes warned the referral could chill future whistleblowers, and said he expected it to produce no legal result.
The move has been described in headlines as Gabbard Refers Whistleblower and Watchdog to DOJ Over Trump Impeachment by some observers. The investigation’s future depends on prosecutors and any evidence they choose to pursue.
