Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said referring alleged leakers to the Department of Justice for prosecution represents a continued effort to root out the politicization of intelligence and national security.
“It is illegal to leak classified information,” Gabbard said during an appearance on Fox News’s Fox & Friends. “What you’re seeing here is me carrying out on the promise and the mandate that the American people gave Trump.”
“We conducted our own internal investigation,” she added. “We have referred them now to the Department of Justice and the FBI for an official criminal investigation because these are crimes, and people need to be accountable to put a stop to this.”
Gabbard said at least two individuals have been referred to the DOJ, and another is likely on the way.
“When we look at the examples that I’ve seen, just in the short time that I’ve been in this position, what they consist of is essentially very selective leaks to their friends in the propaganda media that twist and manipulate intelligence directly to undermine the president’s policies and his aggressive work to keep the American people safe,” Gabbard said.
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She added that these three investigations are just the first, and more individuals are being investigated internally.
“In each one of these examples, I can tell you, we know that the intent, based on the result that we’ve seen through their leaks to the Washington Post, the New York Times, and other outlets, Huffington Post and others, has been directly to undermine President Trump and the work that he’s doing,” Gabbard said.