Former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has taken a bold step by referring two intelligence officials to the Department of Justice over allegations that they leaked classified information.
A third referral is expected to follow soon.
The two unnamed officials are accused of sharing sensitive intelligence with prominent media outlets, including the Washington Post and the New York Times.
Gabbard, who now serves as the Director of National Intelligence, expressed strong disapproval of the leak, emphasizing the national security risks posed by such actions.
Gabbard Calls for Accountability and Action
In a statement, Gabbard condemned the politicization of intelligence and the unauthorized release of classified details.
She stressed that those responsible for such leaks must be held accountable to the full extent of the law.
“Politicization of our intelligence and leaking classified information puts our nation’s security at risk and must end,” Gabbard asserted.
She went further to accuse what she called “deep state criminals” of leaking sensitive information for partisan political reasons aimed at undermining former President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Gabbard pledged to work closely with the DOJ and FBI to investigate, terminate, and prosecute the individuals involved.
Leak Investigations Ramp Up Amid Political Tensions
The referral to the DOJ marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to investigate leaks within the intelligence community.
Gabbard had established a new task force last month, dedicated to identifying and addressing unauthorized disclosures of classified material.
This move follows concerns about a leak involving sensitive information related to Israel and Iran, which was reportedly shared with the Washington Post.
Gabbard’s office conducted an internal review before referring the case to the DOJ, signaling a serious crackdown on leaks.
DOJ and FBI to Pursue Formal Investigation
Once the referral reaches the Department of Justice, a formal investigation will begin.
A source from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) confirmed that the DOJ would pass the case to the FBI to pursue criminal charges.
“We are aggressively investigating other leaks and will pursue further criminal referrals as warranted,” the source revealed.
The warning was clear: any intelligence official contemplating leaking to the media should be aware that there will be serious consequences.
Department of Defense Under Scrutiny Amid Leak Scandals
While Gabbard is addressing leaks within the intelligence community, the Department of Defense is also under investigation.
The Pentagon has faced increased scrutiny after a controversial chat between Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top officials was leaked.
Last week, several high-ranking staff members, including Deputy Chief of Staff Darin Selnick, Hegseth’s top adviser Dan Caldwell, and Colin Carroll, the chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, were fired.
The individuals involved were escorted out of the Pentagon, sparking further debate about leaks within the department.
Fired Officials Respond to Allegations
In a joint statement, Selnick, Caldwell, and Carroll expressed disappointment at their dismissals, calling the accusations against them baseless.
They denied any involvement in leaking classified information, defending their record of service. “
All three of us served our country honorably in uniform,” they stated, referencing their previous military deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Caldwell, who spoke with Tucker Carlson, also claimed that the investigation was “weaponized” against them due to their dissenting views within the Pentagon.
He suggested that internal conflicts and personal vendettas may have played a role in their firing.
Caldwell and Selnick Plan Legal Action
As tensions continue to rise, Caldwell and Selnick are planning to sue the Department of Defense for wrongful termination.
Their legal team has reportedly begun preparations for the lawsuit, according to Politico.
However, Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, remains firm in his accusations.
He has warned that those involved in the leaks may soon face criminal prosecution.
Hegseth Accuses Leakers of Threatening National Security
Hegseth has not been shy in placing blame on those he believes were responsible for the leaks.
In an interview with Fox News, he explained that numerous sensitive topics were leaked, including military strategies related to the Panama Canal and a visit by Elon Musk to the Pentagon.
“We said ‘enough is enough, we’re going to launch a leak investigation,'” he recounted.
Hegseth maintained that the investigation was necessary to protect national security, despite the personal fallout it caused.
Hegseth Faces His Own Scrutiny Over Leak Allegations
Amid the ongoing investigations, Hegseth himself is under scrutiny for sharing details about a U.S. military attack in a separate Signal group chat, which included his wife, brother, and personal lawyer.
Both Hegseth and the White House have refused to deny the allegations, focusing instead on the supposed disgruntled employees leaking information.
The White House insists that no classified details were disclosed in the chat.
Trump Defends Hegseth and Dismisses Leaks as ‘Fake News’
In a statement, former President Donald Trump defended Hegseth and dismissed the ongoing leaks as “fake news.”
He suggested that the investigations into Hegseth’s actions were driven by disgruntled staffers.
“He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that’s what he’s doing,” Trump explained.
“You don’t always have friends when you do that.”
Despite the ongoing investigations, Trump’s comments imply that the internal battles at the Pentagon are largely driven by personal conflicts rather than genuine concerns over national security.
What’s Next for the Leaks Investigation?
With multiple investigations unfolding, the future of these leak cases remains uncertain.
The Department of Justice, FBI, and Pentagon are all involved in separate probes, each focusing on different aspects of the alleged leaks.
As the investigations continue, more revelations may come to light, and it seems clear that those involved in leaking sensitive information will be held accountable if the authorities have their way.