Tulsi Gabbard, the former Director of National Intelligence, has stirred controversy by releasing an email that raises serious questions about James Clapper, her predecessor. The email, sent in December 2016, has been described as revealing Clapper’s efforts to align the Intelligence Community behind the narrative of Russian interference in the 2016 election, often referred to as the "Russia Hoax."
Gabbard shared a screenshot of this email on social media, highlighting its significance. The email was directed to key leaders in the intelligence community, including then-FBI Director James Comey, CIA Director John Brennan, and NSA Director Michael Rogers. It was a response to concerns raised by Rogers about the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), which would later be presented to President Barack Obama.
In his email, Rogers expressed worries about whether his team had adequate access to the intelligence and enough time to review it before signing off on the assessment. He emphasized that he needed full confidence in the report before it reached the president.
Clapper’s reply was notable. He acknowledged Rogers’ concerns but insisted that it was crucial for the CIA, NSA, FBI, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence to be unified in their support of the report. He emphasized that time was of the essence and that the agencies might need to compromise their usual processes to meet the tight deadline. Clapper concluded by stating that the project needed to be a "team sport."
This email has drawn attention because it suggests that Clapper may have pressured other intelligence leaders to conform to a specific narrative regarding Russian interference. Gabbard’s release of the email adds another layer to the ongoing debate about the integrity of the intelligence assessments related to Russian activities during the election.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, this revelation could have significant implications for those involved in the intelligence community and their handling of sensitive information. Gabbard’s actions highlight the ongoing scrutiny of the intelligence assessments that have shaped public perception of Russia’s role in the 2016 election and beyond.
