Investigation Initiated by Attorney General Bondi: Obama Administration Officals under Grand Jury Scrutiny over Russia Probe
In a significant development, Attorney General Pam Bondi has authorised a grand jury investigation into claims that members of the Obama administration manipulated intelligence regarding Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The probe, which commenced in early August 2025, follows the declassification of documents by Tulsi Gabbard, the former Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard claimed that Obama officials fabricated the intelligence to falsely depict Russian interference that favoured Donald Trump.
The grand jury is empowered to issue subpoenas and seek indictments as part of a criminal inquiry into whether Democratic officials knowingly promoted a false narrative about Russian collusion to mislead the public during the 2016 campaign. So far, no charges have been filed.
The investigation was prompted by the release of intelligence documents that allegedly contradict earlier intelligence community conclusions about Russia's role in the election. The specifics of the evidence and the identities of all involved persons remain confidential due to the grand jury process.
Fox News was the first to report Bondi's grand jury request, and Tulsi Gabbard herself requested that the Justice Department investigate former President Barack Obama and top officials in his administration for an alleged conspiracy.
The Justice Department has created a "strike force" to assess the evidence released by Gabbard and investigate potential next legal steps which might stem from her disclosures. However, the department has declined to comment on the grand jury investigation or the creation of the "strike force".
It's important to note 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.
Tulsi Gabbard appeared during a Senate Committee on Intelligence Hearing on March 25, 2025, to discuss these allegations. This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.
The investigation could result in subpoenas as part of a criminal investigation and potential indictment if the Justice Department decides to pursue a criminal case.
CNN's Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report.
[1] Fox News: "Attorney General Pam Bondi Directs Grand Jury Investigation into Obama Administration's Handling of Russia Interference Allegations" [2] CNN: "Grand Jury Investigation Launched into Allegations of Manipulated Intelligence on Russia's 2016 Election Interference" [3] New York Times: "Grand Jury Investigation into Obama Administration's Handling of Russia Interference Allegations" [4] Washington Post: "Justice Department Launches Grand Jury Investigation into Allegations of Manipulated Intelligence on Russia's 2016 Election Interference"
The Grand Jury investigation, initiated by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is examining claims of manipulated intelligence regarding Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which has been a significant point of focus in politics and general news. This probe, involving policy-and-legislation, war-and-conflicts, and general-news implications, stems from the declassification of documents by Tulsi Gabbard, former Director of National Intelligence, and allegations of false narratives used during the 2016 campaign.
