The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department related to a whistleblower complaint that helped trigger President Donald Trump\u2019s 2019 impeachment, his first, ostensibly tied to a phone call he held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reports said this week.<\/p>\n
The referrals also include former intelligence community inspector general Michael Atkinson, who notified Congress of the allegations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to refer information that may constitute possible criminal activity in violation of federal criminal law committed by one or more former employees of the intelligence community,\u201d the agency\u2019s general counsel wrote. The referral cited concerns tied to actions described in congressional briefings during the 2019 impeachment process, Fox News\u00a0reported.<\/p>\n
Documents reviewed by Fox News Digital show the referrals reference Atkinson\u2019s briefings before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Those briefings took place during the 116th Congress as lawmakers examined the whistleblower complaint.<\/p>\n
The referrals follow the release of newly declassified records by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Officials said the materials detail what they described as a coordinated effort within elements of the intelligence community tied to the impeachment.<\/p>\n
An intelligence official said the referral language is broad but is focused on Atkinson and the whistleblower. The complaint centered on President Donald Trump\u2019s July 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.<\/p>\n
Gabbard pointed to the documents in a social media post when asked about the referrals.
\n\u201cNewly-declassified records expose how deep state actors within the Intelligence Community concocted a false narrative,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n
The Justice Department has not publicly responded to the referrals. Officials have not indicated whether an investigation has been opened.<\/p>\n
The released materials include transcripts of Atkinson\u2019s closed-door testimony before the House Intelligence Committee. Those transcripts were later made public following a vote led by committee chairman Rick Crawford.<\/p>\n
During his testimony, Atkinson addressed his handling of the whistleblower complaint. He said the complaint met the legal standard required to notify Congress.<\/p>\n