Tulsi Gabbard Files Criminal Referrals Against Whistleblower and Former Intel Official

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has formally requested the Department of Justice to investigate two former government officials central to President Donald Trump's first impeachment inquiry.

Gabbard's office confirmed that she has drafted criminal referrals against the whistleblower whose report sparked the 2019 investigation and former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson. While specific charges remain undisclosed, the move signals an effort to re-examine the origins of the impeachment proceedings.

Gabbard alleged that "deep state" actors within the intelligence community fabricated a narrative to undermine a legitimately elected President. The original whistleblower complaint claimed that Trump used his office to pressure a foreign nation to investigate a domestic political rival. While House Democrats have condemned Gabbard’s move as an attempt to intimidate future whistleblowers, the final decision to pursue criminal charges rests with federal prosecutors. This development marks the latest effort by the administration to challenge previous investigations into the President's conduct.