DNI Gabbard Refers 2019 Trump Impeachment Figures to Justice Department
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department concerning the whistleblower and former Inspector General involved in President Trump's 2019 impeachment.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has submitted criminal referrals to the Justice Department, targeting the whistleblower and former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, both central to President Donald Trump's 2019 impeachment proceedings.
Gabbard's office released declassified documents alleging a coordinated effort within the intelligence community to fabricate a conspiracy leading to Trump's impeachment. The materials suggest that Atkinson did not adhere to standard procedures and relied on politicized narratives during his preliminary investigation into Trump's July 2019 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) stated that Atkinson failed to conduct basic due diligence and exceeded his statutory jurisdiction by mischaracterizing the president's phone call as an 'urgent concern' to Congress.
The Justice Department has yet to comment on the referrals. Atkinson, who served as Inspector General from 2018 to 2020, was dismissed by Trump in April 2020.
Gabbard's actions have drawn criticism from some lawmakers. Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, stated that the referral could deter future whistleblowers from coming forward, expressing concern over potential chilling effects.
The Justice Department's response to the referrals remains pending.