The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has referred both the whistleblower behind the complaint tied to President Trump’s 2019 impeachment and former Inspector General Michael Atkinson to the Justice Department for potential criminal violations, according to materials reviewed Wednesday.
The referrals cite possible federal law violations tied to 2019 briefings before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and follow document releases by DNI Tulsi Gabbard describing a coordinated effort within the intelligence community to manufacture a conspiracy used to support the impeachment.
Newly disclosed transcripts of Atkinson’s testimony show he found indications of political bias from the whistleblower but still advanced the complaint as an “urgent concern.” ODNI says he failed to conduct basic due diligence and exceeded his authority.
