US preparing grand jury subpoenas in Russiagate case – media
US federal prosecutors are about to issue grand jury subpoenas to obtain records tied to a 2017 intelligence report commissioned by then President Barack Obama that kickstarted the Russiagate conspiracy, Reuters reported Thursday.
Known as the Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian Election Interference (ICA), the report, released on January 6, 2017, was a cornerstone of the narrative alleging collusion between Donald Trump’s campaign and Moscow ahead of the 2016 election. Documents declassified earlier this year by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard indicated that Obama-era officials had manipulated evidence to push the narrative.
According to Reuters, the subpoenas will seek “paper or digital documents, text messages and emails” related to the preparation of the ICA. It remains unclear to whom the subpoenas will be directed or whether they have already been issued.
The investigation is being led by Jason Reding Quinones, the US attorney for the Southern District of Florida, who took office in August and pledged to “restore impartial justice.” Trump has long argued that the previous administration weaponized the Department of Justice against him during his first term.
The ICA has faced harsh criticism from former CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who described it as a deliberate manipulation. He accused then CIA Director John Brennan, FBI Director James Comey, and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper of orchestrating the Russiagate narrative to “screw Trump.”
In July, Gabbard released more than 100 pages of emails, memos, and internal communications concerning the preparation of reports on alleged Trump-Russia collusion, which she described as “overwhelming evidence” of a “treasonous conspiracy to subvert the will of the American people.”
Comey has since been charged with making false statements to Congress and obstructing justice over his role in promoting the Russiagate allegations. He pleaded not guilty in October, with his trial set for January 5.
The Russiagate saga deeply strained US-Russia relations during Trump’s first term, leading to sanctions and asset seizures. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them the result of internal US political infighting.
Trump has previously stated that all those behind the hoax should pay a “big price.”
