US Justice Department launches grand jury probe into Obama-era Russia intelligence claims

WASHINGTON -- US Attorney General Pam Bondi has ordered federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into allegations that officials from former President Barack Obama's administration fabricated intelligence about Russian interference in the 2016 election, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters Monday.

The probe follows a referral from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who last month declassified documents she claims reveal a "treasonous conspiracy" to falsely link then-candidate Donald Trump to Moscow. Gabbard has threatened to seek prosecutions of Obama-era officials.

A Justice Department "strike force" was recently formed to assess Gabbard's allegations about what she described as the intelligence community's "weaponization."

Fox News first reported that Bondi directed an unnamed federal prosecutor to initiate legal proceedings, and the prosecutor is expected to present department evidence to a grand jury, which could consider indictments. A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment.

Trump, who defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016, has accused Obama of treason, alleging -- without evidence -- that the Democrat led a coordinated effort to sabotage his campaign.

A 2017 intelligence assessment concluded Russia sought to influence the 2016 election in Trump's favor but found no evidence that votes were changed.

Obama's spokesperson dismissed the claims as "bizarre" and "ridiculous."