Newly Declassified Emails Reveal Clapper's Push to Rush Flawed Russia Collusion Narrative

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released emails today exposing more information about the Obama administration officials' deliberate efforts to manufacture a Russia collusion story against then-candidate Donald Trump, overriding concerns from intelligence leaders to maintain a unified, politicized front.

In a December 2016 email, NSA Director Adm. Michael Rogers warned DNI James Clapper, CIA Director John Brennan, and FBI Director James Comey that his team lacked sufficient access and time to review intelligence, expressing discomfort with assessments linking Trump to Russia. Rogers stressed the need for absolute confidence before briefing President Obama. Clapper replied, "That's our story and we're stickin' to it," adding, "This is one project that has to be a team sport," and suggested compromising normal protocols due to the compressed schedule.

Gabbard stated, "The leading figures in the Russia Hoax have spent years deceiving the American public by presenting their manufactured and politicized assessments as credible intelligence." She added, "Clapper's own words confirm that complying with the order to manufacture intelligence was a 'team sport.'"

These emails build on a conspiracy originating in 2016, when Obama officials, including Clapper, Brennan, and Comey, allegedly politicized intelligence to claim Russian interference favored Trump, despite low-confidence assessments and reliance on the discredited Steele Dossier—funded by Clinton's campaign and known to be unreliable. The January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) asserted high confidence in Russia's pro-Trump meddling, ignoring prior findings that Russia lacked intent or capability to hack the election and suppressing contrary evidence. Whistleblowers revealed Obama directed the ICA's creation, pressuring analysts to align with the narrative, including selective use of Russian media while ignoring pro-Clinton foreign sources.

Declassifications began in July 2025 with Gabbard's release of a whistleblower's account detailing six years of ignored reports on manipulated intelligence, including threats and promotion pressures. Earlier documents showed Obama aides denounced the Steele Dossier privately but included it in the ICA to justify FISA warrants and investigations against President Trump. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley described it as a broad government conspiracy to ruin Trump.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has convened a grand jury to review for potential charges.