Overview
- ODNI confirmed Wednesday it sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department tied to the 2019 impeachment, with reporting indicating the targets are the whistleblower and former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson.
- The referrals ask prosecutors to assess “possible criminal activity” and do not publicly cite statutes or file charges, and the Justice Department has not said whether it will open a formal investigation.
- The action followed Gabbard’s Monday release of declassified records, including Atkinson’s 2019 House testimony and interview notes with the complainant, which she says show flawed handling in labeling the matter an “urgent concern.”
- Major outlets reviewing the documents report they do not provide direct evidence of crimes, and Democrats such as Rep. Jim Himes warn the move could deter future whistleblowers whose identities are protected by law.
- Right-leaning publications emphasize claims of bias and alleged coordination behind the complaint, while mainstream and left-leaning reports stress that a criminal referral is only a request for review and note the lack of new proof of wrongdoing.