Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard referred “two intelligence community leakers” to the Trump administration’s Department of Justice on Wednesday for criminal prosecution for allegedly leaking classified information to the news media.
An Office of the Director of National Intelligence official told Fox News that the two intelligence community professionals referred to the Department of Justice allegedly leaked classified information to both The New York Times and The Washington Post. The official added that a third criminal referral linked to the classified information leaks is “on its way” to the Department of Justice.
According to Fox News, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence official told the outlet that members of the intelligence community should consider Gabbard’s criminal referral of the alleged leakers to the Justice Department “as a warning.”
Gabbard confirmed to Fox News that she had sent two criminal referrals to the Department of Justice and was sending a third criminal referral in response to the intelligence community leaks. Gabbard described the individuals as “deep-state criminals” who “leaked classified information for partisan political purposes to undermine President Trump’s agenda.”
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“Politicization of our intelligence and leaking classified information puts our nation’s security at risk and must end,” Gabbard said. “Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“I look forward to working with the Department of Justice and the FBI to investigate, terminate and prosecute these criminals,” Gabbard added.
An Office of the Director of National Intelligence official told Fox News that Wednesday’s criminal referral of the two intelligence community leakers is the first part of the Trump administration’s plan of “holding these individuals accountable.”
“We are aggressively investigating other leaks and will pursue further criminal referrals as warranted,” the official said. “Any intelligence community bureaucrat who is considering leaking to the media should take this as a warning.”
The anonymous official warned that the Trump administration will “identify leakers” and that the leakers “will face legal consequences.”
