Intel Chief Alleges Obama-Era Russia Narrative Manipulation

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released declassified materials alleging the Obama administration promoted a false narrative of Russian interference in the 2016 election, claiming officials manufactured intelligence assessments to undermine Donald Trump. Gabbard asserted there was 'irrefutable evidence' of politicized intelligence and referred the case to the Department of Justice and FBI, prompting the DOJ to form a strike force to review her disclosures. Her allegations have been strongly disputed by Democrats and intelligence analysts, who maintain that the declassified documents do not contradict the consensus that Russia sought to influence the 2016 election. Conservative columnist Eli Lake and other critics argue Gabbard's evidence does not disprove Russian interference or substantiate an Obama-led conspiracy. Obama’s representatives dismissed the claims as politically motivated distractions lacking substantive proof. The dispute has deepened partisan divides over the handling of election interference intelligence.