DNI Gabbard targets whistleblower, ex-inspector general in criminal referral

Key Points:

• Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department concerning a former intelligence community inspector general and a whistleblower linked to the 2019 impeachment of President Donald Trump.
• The whistleblower complaint, initially deemed credible by then-Inspector General Michael Atkinson, triggered Trump’s first impeachment over allegations he pressured Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden; Trump was later acquitted by the Senate.
• The referrals request DOJ review of potential criminal activity by former intelligence community employees related to congressional briefings in 2019, but no specific charges have been disclosed.
• Gabbard claims newly declassified documents reveal a "deep state" conspiracy behind Trump’s impeachment, though the documents do not substantiate coordination or wrongdoing and include positive assessments of the whistleblower.
• Former DOJ officials have defended Atkinson’s integrity and professionalism, calling allegations of criminal conduct against him "preposterous."