Declassified Memo Reveals Intelligence Officials Had Early Doubts About Russian Interference in 2016 Election

Newly released government documents are raising serious questions about the origins and motives behind the controversial investigation into former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign—known as “Crossfire Hurricane.” A previously classified intelligence memo, unveiled Friday by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, suggests that senior officials in the Obama administration were privately skeptical of claims that Russia significantly influenced the outcome of the election.

The document, dated late 2016, was addressed directly to then-President Barack Obama. In it, intelligence officials advised that “Russian and criminal actors did not impact recent U.S. election results through cyber activity targeting election infrastructure.” The memo’s language appears to directly contradict the public narrative that dominated headlines in the months following Trump’s surprise victory over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

While the report does acknowledge attempts by Russian actors to gain access to voter data—such as the attempted breach of voter rolls in Illinois—it clarifies that none of these efforts affected voting machines or vote tallies. According to the memo, “The targeting of systems not used in the casting or counting of votes makes it highly unlikely that any attempts could have altered the results of the election.” It also concludes that the scale and technical ability of the interference “fell far short of what would be required to change outcomes.”

This revelation has sparked renewed scrutiny over the motivations behind the years-long Trump–Russia investigation, which critics have long claimed was politically driven. The Trump administration and its allies repeatedly insisted that the Russia collusion theory was a fabricated smear, crafted to discredit Trump’s legitimacy before he even took office.

Now, with this memo in the public eye, those critics appear to have new ammunition.

The implications are already reaching high-ranking figures. Former CIA Director John Brennan and ex-FBI Director James Comey are reportedly under preliminary review for their roles in initiating and steering the Crossfire Hurricane probe. Current CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that intelligence agencies are examining whether Brennan selectively withheld critical information from other government branches, particularly regarding the credibility—or lack thereof—of key evidence like the Steele dossier.

That dossier, compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele and paid for in part by the Clinton campaign, alleged numerous salacious and unverified ties between Trump and Russian operatives. It has since been widely discredited.

A 200-page audit by congressional investigators is reportedly complete, and intelligence officials met privately with Justice Department representatives last weekend to discuss its findings. Officials are considering whether to make additional classified material public, including notes from the Crossfire Hurricane team and transcripts from Special Counsel John Durham’s investigation, which concluded in 2023 that no substantive evidence supported claims of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Gabbard’s decision to release the 2016 memo is seen by many as the first step in what could become a much broader push for transparency. Sources familiar with the situation say more disclosures are expected in the coming weeks.

In a related development, some legal experts are reviewing whether Brennan may have misled Congress during sworn testimony, particularly concerning his knowledge of and reliance on the Steele dossier. While the statute of limitations on perjury may have expired, prosecutors are reportedly examining whether conspiracy charges could apply if it is proven he coordinated false testimony with others.

“This was never about national security,” one senior official said on condition of anonymity. “It was about shaping a narrative before Trump could even take office. The real influence operation wasn’t Russian—it was domestic, and it was directed from the top levels of the U.S. government.”

Former FBI Director Comey is also facing renewed attention. Earlier this year, he posted a cryptic message on social media that drew widespread speculation, prompting an unexpected visit from the Secret Service, according to sources close to the situation. While the nature of the message remains unclear, it has intensified questions about his actions and intentions during and after the 2016 election season.

As more details continue to emerge, many observers are calling for a comprehensive review of the actions taken by intelligence agencies, political operatives, and executive officials during this turbulent period in American history. For Trump supporters, the memo represents long-awaited vindication. For others, it underscores the need for greater checks and transparency in how politically sensitive investigations are launched—and by whom.

What began as a probe into foreign interference may now turn inward, placing former leaders under the microscope and reshaping the public’s understanding of what really happened behind closed doors in the final days of the Obama administration.