A newly declassified CIA memo exposes a shocking truth: the Obama administration’s top officials deliberately manipulated intelligence to inflate the narrative of Russian interference in the 2016 election. This orchestrated campaign laid the groundwork for the unfounded Trump-Russia collusion investigation.
The review, initiated by CIA Director John Ratcliffe in May 2025, reexamined the 2016 Intelligence Community Assessment. It unequivocally identified former CIA Director John Brennan, FBI Director James Comey, and DNI James Clapper as “excessively involved” in shaping the initial Russia narrative.
Director Ratcliffe stated, “All the world can now see the truth: Brennan, Clapper, and Comey manipulated intelligence and silenced career professionals — all to get Trump.” This recognition of the truth stands as a testament to the integrity of the CIA officers who conducted the review.
On December 6, 2016—barely weeks after Donald Trump’s election—Barack Obama ordered a probe, suggesting that Vladimir Putin “aspired” to sway the vote. Yet this conclusion was hastily reached, as the review criticized Brennan, Comey, and Clapper for their chaotic and unconventional practices, raising serious concerns about potential political motives.
Intelligence officials reported feeling “jammed” by a rushed timeline, with many seeing the draft report for the first time at a disorganized in-person review on December 19. One CIA author noted it was “unusual” for such a comprehensive assessment to undergo so few changes under such circumstances.
The consequences were dire. This expedited assessment cast doubt on Trump’s legitimacy, paving the way for the Mueller investigation, a series of partisan congressional hearings, and incessant media leaks.
This review affirms what has long been evident in conservative circles: Brennan, Comey, and Clapper were the architects of the Trump-Russia hoax, manipulating facts to achieve their political ends.
