Uncovered Evidence Spurs Probe Intelligence Community Misled Trump and Congress on 2020 Election Security

WASHINGTON — DNI Tulsi Gabbard has launched a probe into uncovered and declassified evidence showing that senior U.S. intelligence officials deliberately misled both President Donald Trump and Congress about the true extent of foreign interference threats — particularly from China — during the 2020 presidential election.

Internal assessments and memos reviewed by Gabbard’s office reveal that the intelligence community possessed credible intelligence in late 2020 about China’s access to voter registration databases in multiple states, along with other election infrastructure vulnerabilities. Despite these internal warnings, public statements and classified briefings to Trump and lawmakers portrayed the election as the “most secure in American history,” with no significant foreign interference.

The findings build on a previously declassified January 15, 2020, National Intelligence Council memo that explicitly warned Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea had the capability to compromise U.S. election systems, including voter registration databases and poll books. That memo was largely downplayed or withheld from broader dissemination.

Gabbard’s review has also confirmed that an FBI report detailing China’s efforts to influence the 2020 election outcome in favor of Joe Biden was recalled and copies were ordered deleted in summer 2020. Officials at the time cited concerns that releasing the information could be seen as helping Trump’s reelection bid.

The new evidence indicates that key intelligence leaders prioritized a narrative of election security over full transparency with the president and Congress. This includes misleading briefings and public statements from officials such as then-CISA Director Chris Krebs, who repeatedly claimed there was no evidence of widespread compromise.

Gabbard has referred the matter for further investigation, with sources indicating the probe focuses on whether senior officials suppressed, altered, or misrepresented intelligence to fit a predetermined conclusion. This is part of the broader Trump administration review of 2020 election-related intelligence activities, following earlier declassifications that showed the Ukraine impeachment was a continuation of the failed Russia collusion probe.

For millions of Americans who questioned the legitimacy and security of the 2020 election, Gabbard’s findings provide official confirmation that the intelligence community’s public assurances may have been misleading or incomplete. Additional declassifications and potential referrals for criminal review are expected in the coming weeks as the DNI’s office continues its work.