Jul 23, 2025 - Politics & Policy

DOJ "to assess evidence" of "alleged weaponization" in intel community

Rebecca Falconer

White House Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard talks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on July 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. — White House Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Department of Justice announced Wednesday it's forming a strike force "to assess evidence" Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard raised about the "alleged weaponization of the intelligence community."

The big picture: The DOJ statement did not specify which evidence she publicized that it was responding to, but Gabbard accused former President Obama's administration earlier Wednesday of a "manipulation of intelligence" around Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Catch up quick: Gabbard released a document that she alleges undermines previous findings of the intelligence community that Russia wanted President Trump to win in 2016.

An Obama spokesperson referred Axios to the former president's Tuesday comments that called the allegations "outrageous" and "bizarre," after Trump peddled conspiracy theories on the matter.

What they're saying: "We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice," per Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement that said she's "proud" to work with Gabbard.

Representatives for the DOJ and Gabbard did not immediately respond to Axios' Wednesday evening request for comment.

Go deeper: Trump's forever grudge ties Epstein files to Russia "hoax"

Add Axios on Google

DOJ "to assess evidence" of "alleged weaponization" in intel community

What to read next