Archive · 7 Nov 2025
US Prosecutors Prepare Subpoenas Over 2016 Russia Election Interference Assessment
Some government lawyers are getting ready to ask for papers and messages from people who worked for the government a while ago.
These people wrote a report in 2017 that said Russia tried to help Donald Trump win the 2016 election.
Now, the lawyers want to see how that report was made.
They are going to use special papers called subpoenas to get the information.
The person leading this is the U.S. attorney in Florida, who wants to make sure things are fair.
The lawyers are also looking at documents from another investigation.
A former President, Donald Trump, has always said the idea of Russia interfering was fake.
Another government official, Tulsi Gabbard, recently shared some secret papers and said top officials from the previous government were part of a secret, bad plan to hurt Trump.
Because of this, the Justice Department is looking into the evidence.
The original report said Russia did try to interfere but didn't change the election results.
Federal prosecutors are preparing grand jury subpoenas for Obama-era intelligence officials concerning the 2016 election interference assessment.
The subpoenas aim to obtain documents, texts, and emails related to the preparation of the January 2017 Intelligence Community assessment.
The investigation is led by U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones of the Southern District of Florida.
Quinones' office is also reviewing documents from Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made a criminal referral related to the assessment, alleging a 'treasonous conspiracy'.
- Who
- Federal prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones, potentially targeting Obama-era intelligence officials.
- What
- Preparing grand jury subpoenas to investigate the preparation of the Intelligence Community’s January 2017 assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
- When
- The preparation of subpoenas is ongoing; the subject is the January 2017 assessment.
- Where
- United States, specifically involving the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.
- Why
- To investigate the process and potential improprieties in creating the 2017 assessment, following a criminal referral and in the context of claims by Donald Trump and Tulsi Gabbard regarding alleged conspiracies and the 'Russia hoax'.
Prosecutors' Perspective
Trump/Gabbard's Perspective
Nature of the Investigation
Prosecutors' Perspective
Federal prosecutors are investigating Obama-era intelligence officials who prepared the January 2017 assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Trump/Gabbard's Perspective
Donald Trump refers to the investigations into his 2016 campaign as the 'Russia hoax.' Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard alleged a 'treasonous conspiracy' by top Obama administration officials related to the assessment.
Justification for Review
Prosecutors' Perspective
Subpoenas will seek broad records to examine the preparation of the intelligence assessment. The probe is led by U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quinones, who aims to restore impartial justice.
Trump/Gabbard's Perspective
Tulsi Gabbard made a criminal referral related to the assessment after declassifying documents she claimed showed a conspiracy to undermine Trump. Trump has urged the Attorney General to investigate perceived enemies.
2017 Assessment Findings
Prosecutors' Perspective
The January 2017 assessment concluded Russia interfered to damage Hillary Clinton's campaign and bolster Donald Trump, but likely had limited impact on voting outcomes.
Trump/Gabbard's Perspective
Gabbard's declassified documents, which she stated showed a conspiracy, were presented without evidence of the alleged 'treasonous conspiracy' by Obama administration officials.
- Investigating Body
- U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, led by Jason Reding Quinones
- Subject of Investigation
- Obama-era intelligence officials involved in the January 2017 assessment of Russian interference
- Targeted Records
- Documents, text messages, and emails related to the preparation of the 2017 assessment
- Related Prior Probe
- Criminal probe into former CIA Director John Brennan
- 2017 Assessment's Conclusion
- Russia interfered in the 2016 election to hurt Clinton and help Trump, with likely limited impact on voting outcomes
- Criminal Referral Source
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard
