US DOJ to open grand jury investigation into political opponents over Trump-Russia probe

Australia Broadcast Center

2 days ago

US Attorney General Pam Bondi has ordered prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into whether former President Barack Obama's administration manufactured intelligence on Russia's interference in the 2016 elections.
The Justice Department said late last month it was forming a strike force to assess claims made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard about "alleged weaponisation of the US intelligence community".
US President Donald Trump has leapt on comments from Ms Gabbard in which she threatened to refer Obama administration officials to the Justice Department for prosecution over an intelligence assessment of Russian interference.
Fox News first reported that the attorney general ordered an unnamed federal prosecutor to initiate legal proceedings.
The prosecutor is expected to present department evidence to a grand jury, which could consider an indictment if the Justice Department pursued a criminal case.
The report cited a letter from Ms Bondi and a source. A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment.
Referring to the probe in a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said: "The TRUTH always wins out. This is great news."
Last month, Mr Trump accused Mr Obama of treason, alleging, without providing evidence, that the Democrat led an effort to falsely tie him to Russia and undermine his 2016 presidential campaign.
Mr Trump won the 2016 election against Democrat Hillary Clinton.
A spokesperson for Obama had denounced Mr Trump's claims, saying "these bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction."
Ms Gabbard had declassified documents and said the information she released showed a "treasonous conspiracy" in 2016 by top Obama officials to undermine Mr Trump, claims that Democrats called false and politically motivated.
An assessment by the US intelligence community published in January 2017 concluded that Russia, using social media disinformation, hacking, and Russian bot farms, sought to damage Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and bolster Mr Trump, who won that election.
The assessment determined the actual impact was likely limited and showed no evidence that Moscow's efforts actually changed voting outcomes.
Russia has denied it attempted to interfere in US elections.
Reuters