A Warning to Attorney Andrew Bakaj: Don't Share Classified Complaint with Congress
In a dramatic escalation, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's office has warned attorney Andrew Bakaj not to share a top-secret complaint about her handling of classified material with members of Congress. The letter, obtained by the Associated Press, cautions that sharing such sensitive information could lead to criminal charges.
The complaint, filed by an anonymous government employee in May, alleges that Gabbard withheld classified information for political reasons. However, two inspectors general for the intelligence community have found no credible evidence to support this claim. Despite this, Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees have blasted Gabbard's office over its handling of the complaint, questioning why it took eight months to send the report to select lawmakers as required by law.
Gabbard has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that she acted quickly to ensure the report reached Congress. However, her administration's response has been met with skepticism, and many are questioning why the complaint was delayed for so long.
The National Security Agency (NSA) has declined to comment on the complaint, citing national security concerns. The watchdog group, however, has found that the allegations made in the complaint do not appear to be credible.
In a bizarre twist, Gabbard's office is now warning Bakaj, who represents the anonymous whistleblower, against sharing the classified information with lawmakers. The letter notes that sharing such sensitive material could lead to serious consequences, including criminal charges.
The situation has sparked a heated debate in Washington, with Democrats pushing for more transparency and Republicans backing Gabbard. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) has vowed to push Gabbard for answers about the underlying complaint, while Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has defended Gabbard's actions as an attempt to undermine President Trump.
The intelligence community is now facing a critical test of its ability to balance national security concerns with transparency and accountability. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences of getting it wrong could be severe.
In a dramatic escalation, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's office has warned attorney Andrew Bakaj not to share a top-secret complaint about her handling of classified material with members of Congress. The letter, obtained by the Associated Press, cautions that sharing such sensitive information could lead to criminal charges.
The complaint, filed by an anonymous government employee in May, alleges that Gabbard withheld classified information for political reasons. However, two inspectors general for the intelligence community have found no credible evidence to support this claim. Despite this, Democrats on the House and Senate intelligence committees have blasted Gabbard's office over its handling of the complaint, questioning why it took eight months to send the report to select lawmakers as required by law.
Gabbard has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that she acted quickly to ensure the report reached Congress. However, her administration's response has been met with skepticism, and many are questioning why the complaint was delayed for so long.
The National Security Agency (NSA) has declined to comment on the complaint, citing national security concerns. The watchdog group, however, has found that the allegations made in the complaint do not appear to be credible.
In a bizarre twist, Gabbard's office is now warning Bakaj, who represents the anonymous whistleblower, against sharing the classified information with lawmakers. The letter notes that sharing such sensitive material could lead to serious consequences, including criminal charges.
The situation has sparked a heated debate in Washington, with Democrats pushing for more transparency and Republicans backing Gabbard. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) has vowed to push Gabbard for answers about the underlying complaint, while Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has defended Gabbard's actions as an attempt to undermine President Trump.
The intelligence community is now facing a critical test of its ability to balance national security concerns with transparency and accountability. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences of getting it wrong could be severe.