Federal Prosecutors Launch Investigation into Obama-Era Intelligence Officials Over 2016 Russia Election Interference Assessment

The status of subpoena issuance and their intended recipients remains uncertain at this time. (File)

Washington:

Federal prosecutors are preparing to issue grand jury subpoenas as part of an investigation into Obama-era intelligence officials who developed the assessment concluding that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to assist Donald Trump, according to two sources familiar with the proceedings.

These grand jury subpoenas will seek extensive records, including physical and digital documents, text messages, and emails related to the preparation of the Intelligence Community's January 2017 assessment, according to the two sources who were granted anonymity due to the confidential nature of grand jury matters.

Reuters has not been able to determine whether these subpoenas have already been issued or identify their intended recipients.

The investigation is under the direction of Jason Reding Quinones, the US attorney for the Southern District of Florida, who took office in August with a pledge to "restore impartial justice" - appearing to reference President Trump's repeated allegations that previous Justice Department administrations were weaponized against him.

Quinones' office is also conducting preliminary reviews of documents from Special Counsel Jack Smith's office, which previously prosecuted Trump for retaining classified records at his Florida estate and attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, the sources added. Both cases against Trump were dismissed following his reelection in November 2024.

Trump Has Consistently Criticized 'Russia Hoax'

Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration regarding Justice Department investigations into his 2016 campaign, frequently referring to them as the "Russia hoax," as well as Smith's two subsequent investigations after Trump left office in January 2021. He has called upon Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate and prosecute his opponents.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard submitted a criminal referral related to the January 2017 intelligence assessment after declassifying documents that she claimed, without providing evidence, revealed a "treasonous conspiracy" by senior Obama administration officials in 2016 to undermine Trump.

In response to this referral, the Justice Department announced the formation of a strike force to examine her evidence.

Reuters previously reported that the Justice Department had initiated a criminal investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan, who held the position when the January 2017 intelligence assessment was developed.

Brennan has previously indicated he was unaware of any such investigation but believed it was politically motivated. A spokesperson for Brennan did not immediately respond when asked for comment.

The January 2017 intelligence assessment concluded that Russia employed social media disinformation, hacking operations, and Russian bot farms in an effort to damage Democrat Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and support Trump, who won the 2016 election. The assessment determined that the actual impact was likely limited and found no evidence that Moscow's efforts actually altered voting outcomes.