Whistleblowers Emerge Amid Controversy Over Trump Investigation
On Sunday, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard stated that numerous whistleblowers have begun to step forward following the release of documents that highlight the Obama administration’s attempts to undermine President Donald Trump after the 2016 election.
Gabbard shared a document on Friday, characterizing the events as a “long-standing coup” against Trump that unfolded after he defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She portrayed the whistleblowers as individuals “fed up” with what she called an “unpleasant plot” that was allegedly initiated by then-President Barack Obama in light of Clinton’s loss.
“We have whistleblowers… There are people around us, who’ve been working after these documents were released and are exhausted by what transpired,” Gabbard noted. “So we’re starting to see them come forth, just like you and me, regular Americans. We intend to share everything we find at the Department of Justice for that specific purpose.”
“There has to be accountability. Those responsible, regardless of their influence, who played a role in this unstable conspiracy against the American public, must face consequences,” she asserted.
Gabbard also referenced Special Advisor John Durham’s work, which led to a guilty plea from Kevin Kleinsmith in 2020. Kleinsmith faced charges tied to applications under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act related to Carter Page, part of the broader FBI investigation concerning individuals linked to Trump’s 2016 campaign. In January 2021, a federal judge sentenced him to probation and community service.
She expressed skepticism over whether Durham, who was tasked with investigating the origins of FBI surveillance on the Trump campaign, truly revealed all pertinent information. “This is such a significant development; it cannot be pinned on just a handful of people. I believe I’ve illustrated the impact of what transpired, and I picture it clearly when discussing deep states. The scope is vast. These individuals aim to undermine the will of the American people and threaten our democracy, which highlights the necessity of our ongoing vigilance.”
“I find myself questioning the very issues you’re raising. It’s perplexing, really. Yes, I’ve assigned a team to this. We’ve been digging into the details for several months now. My role as Director of National Intelligence has been ongoing for about six months,” Gabbard continued. “I’m not convinced that those who claim to have investigated this previously had a valid reason for not connecting the dots and revealing the truth to the American people, be it Durham or others.”
On May 15, 2023, Durham released a report regarding the origins of the FBI’s inquiry into the accusations that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia during the 2016 election.
During a trial in October 2022, FBI analyst Brian Orton testified that the FBI had offered Christopher Steele $1 million if he could substantiate the allegations made in the documents he presented; however, Steele did not provide the necessary evidence.
