Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has formally requested that the Justice Department investigate two former officials involved in the 2019 impeachment of President Donald Trump, following the release of newly declassified materials.

According to several reports, Gabbard submitted criminal referrals focusing on the original whistleblower and former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, citing concerns raised by newly disclosed documents about how the impeachment case was conducted.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed that a referral was submitted “related to one or more former employees of the Intelligence Community and their role in the 2019 impeachment of President Trump,” though no specific allegations were detailed.

The referrals come on the heels of recently unsealed records that, according to Gabbard, suggest the whistleblower may have provided misleading information and demonstrated potential bias. The same materials also allege that Atkinson failed to share critical details with Congress during the impeachment proceedings, according to reporting by Just the News.

Gabbard has sharply criticized the handling of the complaint, asserting that the whistleblower system was “weaponized” and used as part of what she and other allies of Trump describe as an effort driven by politics to weaken a sitting president.

CBS News reported that while Gabbard has asked for investigations to move forward, the Justice Department will ultimately decide whether any legal action will be taken.

The network noted that the initial complaint focused on Trump’s 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives, followed by his acquittal in the Senate.

CNN also confirmed the referrals, adding that Gabbard released additional documentation this week that she says reveals irregularities in how the whistleblower complaint was processed.

Those documents reportedly include testimony and internal records indicating that standard oversight procedures may not have been followed by the intelligence community’s watchdog.

The move has drawn sharp opposition from critics, particularly among senior Democrats.

Representative Jim Himes argued that the referral is politically motivated and cautioned that it could have a chilling effect on future whistleblowers.

Backers of Gabbard’s decision, however, say the referrals are necessary, especially if key information was withheld during a major constitutional process.

Legal analysts point out that criminal referrals do not automatically lead to charges, but they can prompt formal investigations by federal authorities.

For Trump’s supporters, the development is being viewed as a possible reopening of one of the most divisive political episodes of his presidency.

If the Justice Department proceeds, the outcome could carry significant consequences—not only for the individuals involved, but also for broader issues surrounding government transparency, accountability, and the role intelligence agencies play in domestic political matters.

{Matzav.com}