Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, has asked the Justice Department to look into two former officials connected to President Trump’s first impeachment. Her office confirmed she prepared criminal referrals but didn’t specify the alleged offenses. Prosecutors will decide whether to follow through with the investigation.
These referrals come on the heels of Gabbard’s criticism of Michael Atkinson, the former Intelligence Community Inspector General. Recently, she released documents related to Atkinson’s handling of the 2019 whistleblower complaint.
The whistleblower, whose identity is still unknown, raised concerns over Trump’s request to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The complaint indicated fears about how a phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy was managed and highlighted involvement from Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal attorney. The whistleblower reported that Trump was pressuring a foreign country to influence the 2020 U.S. election by investigating Joe Biden, a key political rival.
Trump faced impeachment in late 2019 but was acquitted in early 2020. He maintains that the call was “perfect” and denies any wrongdoing. Gabbard has suggested that “deep state” actors in the intelligence community created a false narrative that led to impeachment.
However, the documents released do not support claims of criminal activity. Atkinson was dismissed by Trump in 2020. Following his removal, he expressed that he had performed his duties faithfully and without partisan bias. Neither Atkinson nor the Justice Department have responded to inquiries regarding Gabbard’s referral.
Gabbard’s move adds to ongoing efforts by some former officials to revisit political conflicts from Trump’s presidency. Last year, Gabbard released files concerning Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election, alleging a conspiracy by officials during Biden’s administration. She plans to send these documents to the Justice Department as well, but it’s unclear what crimes are being alleged.
Critics, like Rep. Jim Himes, a prominent Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, have called Gabbard’s referrals unjustified. He praised the whistleblower for their bravery and warned that such actions may discourage future whistleblowers from stepping forward.
On social media, there has been a mix of reactions to Gabbard’s actions. Supporters see it as a necessary call for accountability, while opponents view it as an attempt to undermine important whistleblower protections.
This situation brings to light the ongoing struggle between political factions and the protection of those who expose wrongdoing. As historical events continue to shape the current political landscape, the role of whistleblowers and those protecting them remains crucial for democracy.
For further reading on whistleblower protections, you can explore resources from the Government Accountability Project here.
