In a bombshell interview on Fox News, CIA Director John Ratcliffe reignited the political firestorm over the so-called "Russian collusion" investigation, suggesting that Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, and top officials in the Obama administration, including FBI Director James Comey and CIA Director John Brennan, may face criminal charges for their roles in perpetuating the Russia investigation that targeted then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 election.
Ratcliffe, a key figure in U.S. intelligence, dropped these explosive remarks while speaking to Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, sparking fresh debates about the legitimacy of the entire Russia probe and raising the specter of potential legal consequences for high-ranking political figures.
According to Ratcliffe, the investigation into Trump's alleged ties to Russia was, in fact, a scheme orchestrated by Clinton, designed to undermine Trump’s candidacy and ensure her victory.
He emphasized that the investigation’s origins may be traced back to the Clinton campaign, which was allegedly behind the discredited Steele Dossier—the centerpiece of the Russia collusion narrative.
“This was a Hillary Clinton campaign scheme,” Ratcliffe said, pointing to Clinton’s direct involvement in spreading false claims about Trump’s supposed ties to Russia.
He added that Clinton, while serving as Secretary of State under Obama, coordinated the narrative and supported efforts to perpetuate these allegations, even after they were proven to be unfounded.
The Steele Dossier, a collection of memos compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, was central to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.
It included salacious claims about Trump’s ties to Russia, some of which were later debunked or found to be exaggerated. The dossier, funded by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), became a key document that fueled the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign.
Ratcliffe’s statement draws attention to the central role the dossier played in sparking the investigation, and he contends that Clinton, by funding Steele’s work, indirectly contributed to what he described as a “hoax” against Trump and the American public.
Ratcliffe didn’t stop with Clinton; he also implicated Obama administration officials, accusing them of lying under oath about their involvement in the Russia probe.
He specifically named James Comey (then-FBI Director) and John Brennan (then-CIA Director), both of whom were deeply involved in the investigation.
Ratcliffe suggested that these officials may have misled Congress or even lied under oath when discussing their actions related to the Russia investigation.
This statement comes as part of a broader narrative that alleges that the investigation was not a genuine intelligence effort but rather a politically motivated attempt to undermine the Trump administration.
He stated: “They’re the ones that need to be held accountable,” referring to top figures in the Obama administration who were involved in the investigation. These remarks suggest that there may be potential criminal charges or further legal action against these officials if evidence of misconduct can be proven.
Bartiromo, who hosted Ratcliffe on her Fox News program, asked the former intelligence chief directly if he believed the investigation could lead to criminal charges.
She questioned if there was still an opportunity for indictments related to those who may have lied under oath, including Brennan, Comey, and even Clinton.
Ratcliffe’s answer was clear: “That’s why I’ve made the referrals that I have,” he said. He went on to explain that Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), had also made referrals, and that intelligence gathered by the Department of Justice (DOJ) would play a crucial role in determining whether legal action could be taken.
This statement suggests that further investigations are ongoing, and that Ratcliffe, along with Gabbard, has made efforts to push the DOJ to act on what they believe is a clear case of misconduct by some of the most senior figures in U.S. intelligence.
In line with Ratcliffe’s statements, Tulsi Gabbard, the former congresswoman and current DNI director, has been a vocal critic of the investigation into Trump and the broader Russia narrative.
She has openly accused Obama of orchestrating what she called a “treasonous conspiracy” to undermine the Trump administration and influence the 2016 election.
Last week, Gabbard made headlines when she submitted a criminal referral to the DOJ, accusing high-ranking officials of criminal activity related to the Russia investigation.
Her referral contains several allegations, including possible misconduct in the creation and use of the Steele Dossier, as well as claims of intentional misrepresentation to Congress.
These actions by Gabbard and Ratcliffe suggest a coordinated effort to revisit the legitimacy of the Russia investigation, especially as more information about its origins and the involvement of key figures in the Obama administration continues to surface.
A key part of the ongoing investigation involves newly declassified documents and email exchanges that further illuminate the role the Steele Dossier played in the intelligence community’s assessments.
According to Kimberly Hermann, the conservative attorney with the Southeastern Legal Foundation, the release of the emails raises serious questions about how the dossier was integrated into official intelligence reports.
In a September 2019 email obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, an official within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) raised concerns about the dossier’s role in shaping intelligence conclusions.
The email stated that the official was excluded from certain discussions regarding the dossier and questioned whether certain key officials had deliberately withheld critical information.
This revelation adds fuel to accusations that the dossier was mishandled and potentially used to falsely target individuals, including Trump’s campaign aides and associates, during the investigation.
The email also points to potential issues of accountability within the ODNI and other intelligence agencies for failing to properly vet the sources and claims within the dossier.
The comments by Ratcliffe and Gabbard, combined with the new revelations surrounding the dossier, are likely to reinvigorate calls for accountability regarding the Russia investigation.
These ongoing inquiries have highlighted the partisan nature of the probe, and critics argue that it was used as a political weapon to damage Trump and his associates during and after the 2016 election.
Ratcliffe’s statement that there could be indictments and prosecutions marks a significant moment in this saga, as it suggests that key figures in the Obama administration, including Clinton, Comey, and Brennan, may soon face legal scrutiny.
The investigation into the origins of the Russia probe could have lasting implications for future political campaigns and the credibility of U.S. intelligence agencies.
While it is unclear whether any actual indictments will result from the ongoing investigations, the political ramifications are already clear.
The renewed focus on the Russia investigation and its origins will continue to dominate political discourse in Washington, as both Republicans and Democrats navigate the fallout from the scandal.
As the DOJ moves forward with its review of the evidence, it remains to be seen whether any former Obama officials will face criminal charges or other legal consequences.
For now, the controversy surrounding the Russia investigation shows no signs of abating. With new information continuing to emerge, it is likely that the public will demand further transparency and accountability from the government’s top intelligence officials.
