Attorney General Pam Bondi Orders Grand Jury Probe into Obama Officials Over Russia Investigation
In a significant development, Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into allegations that members of the Obama administration manufactured intelligence about Russia's 2016 election interference. According to a source familiar with the matter, Bondi has ordered the Justice Department to launch an in-depth probe into renewed accusations that Democratic officials tried to smear Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign by falsely alleging his campaign was colluding with the Russian government.
The grand jury investigation is part of a broader effort to uncover potential wrongdoing and wrongdoing within the Obama administration's handling of the Russia investigation. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who declassified documents in July, has requested that the Justice Department investigate former President Barack Obama and top officials in his administration for an alleged conspiracy.
Gabbard's referral came after she released sensitive documents that she alleges undermine the Obama administration's conclusion that Russia tried to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton. The move is seen as a significant escalation in the ongoing controversy surrounding the Russia investigation, with implications for the integrity of the 2016 election and the actions of key figures in the Obama administration.
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Gabbard's claims have been met with skepticism by many experts, who point out that the unsealed documents do not undercut or alter the US government's core findings in 2017 that Russia launched a campaign of influence and hacking and sought to help Clinton lose. The Obama administration's conclusions on Russia's interference in the election were based on a comprehensive review of intelligence gathered from multiple sources.
The Justice Department has declined to comment on Gabbard's allegations, but Bondi's grand jury probe suggests that the agency is taking her claims seriously. As part of the investigation, prosecutors will be able to issue subpoenas and consider an indictment if they decide to pursue a criminal case against key figures in the Obama administration.
The creation of a "strike force" within the Justice Department to assess evidence released by Gabbard is seen as a significant development in the ongoing controversy. The strike force will focus on investigating potential next legal steps that might stem from DNI Gabbard's disclosures.
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CNN has been following this developing story, and we will continue to bring you updates as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for further developments in this ongoing saga.