Justice Department to assess claims of ‘alleged weaponisation’ of US intelligence community
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US President Donald Trump accused former president Barack Obama of treason on July 22.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - The US Department of Justice said on July 23 it was forming a strike force to assess recent claims made by director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard about “alleged weaponisation of the US intelligence community”.
Why it is important
US President Donald Trump has leaped on comments from Ms Gabbard on July 18 in which she threatened to refer Obama administration officials to the Justice Department for prosecution over an intelligence assessment of Russian interference.
Mr Trump accused former president Barack Obama of treason on July 22, alleging, without providing evidence, that the Democrat led an effort to falsely tie him to Russia and undermine his 2016 presidential campaign.
A spokesperson for Mr Obama denounced Mr Trump’s claims, saying: “These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.”
The Justice Department said in a statement: “This department takes alleged weaponisation of the intelligence community with the utmost seriousness.
“The Department of Justice announced the formation of a Strike Force to assess the evidence publicised by director of national intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard and investigate potential next legal steps which might stem from DNI Gabbard’s disclosures.”
Context
Ms Gabbard declassified documents and said the information she was releasing 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 Democrat Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and bolster Mr Trump, who won the 2016 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
