Declassified Memos Reveal Clinton Campaign Strategy to Smear Trump with Russia Claims

Newly declassified documents from a multi-year investigation led by Special Counsel John Durham reveal that Hillary Clinton, during her 2016 presidential run, endorsed a controversial plan by adviser Julianne Smith to “smear” Donald Trump by amplifying allegations of Russian ties. The memo suggests this strategy was designed, in part, to deflect public attention from Clinton’s growing email controversy.

Clinton’s campaign, according to the memo, approved a proposal to push the narrative of “Putin’s support for Trump.” This narrative aimed to leverage genuine concerns about election interference by equating them with political motivations. The memo states that Clinton gave her go-ahead to a plan that called for magnifying Russia’s alleged tampering in pre-election processes to undermine Trump’s credibility.

These details emerged as part of Durham’s investigation into intelligence operations around the 2016 election. At Senator Chuck Grassley’s urging, several files—including this one—were declassified by FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other intelligence officials.

Grassley highlighted what he sees as systemic failings within the FBI and other agencies. “This political weaponization has caused critical damage to our institutions,” he said, calling it “one of the biggest political scandals and cover-ups in American history.” He further criticized both the Obama and Biden administrations for their roles, accusing them of undermining public trust and federal norms.

Intelligence Officials Question Role of Russia in Trump’s Win

At the same time, declassified memos released by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard contradict earlier narratives that claimed Russia decisively influenced the 2016 outcome. These documents assessed that Russian or criminal cyber operations did not compromise U.S. election infrastructure in any significant way.

One memo, addressed to then-President Obama, asserted that cyber incidents—such as attempts to breach Illinois voter rolls and other systems—did not reach equipment used for casting ballots. “The targeting of infrastructure not used in casting ballots makes it highly unlikely it would have resulted in altering any state’s official vote,” the report concluded.

Allegations of Coordination Between Campaign and Intelligence Community

Further deepening the intrigue, investigative journalist Paul Sperry—writing for Real Clear Investigations—reported on X that internal communications may confirm coordination between the Clinton campaign and Obama-era intelligence agencies. He claimed sources indicated emails and text messages showed campaign aides working with the White House, NSC, State Department, and intelligence officials in mid‑2016 to uncover or manufacture a Trump–Russia connection.

While Sperry’s report is still developing and not yet independently verified, it lends additional gravity to the controversy.

Investigation Targets Former Intelligence Officials

As public scrutiny intensifies, federal investigators are reportedly preparing to examine the roles of several high-profile figures involved in Crossfire Hurricane, the federal probe into Russian interference and Trump’s campaign. Former CIA Director John Brennan and ex-FBI Director James Comey are among those under consideration.

Many in Trump’s circle view the declassified memos as vindication. They argue these documents expose a deliberate effort by the Clinton campaign—backed by sympathetic intelligence operatives—to delegitimize Trump through unsubstantiated links to Russia.

A Turning Point in a Polarizing Narrative

For Trump supporters, the memos provide powerful evidence that the “Russia collusion” narrative was exaggerated—or even orchestrated—for political gain. More broadly, the revelations raise hard questions about the intersection of politics and intelligence, and whether partisan objectives may have influenced government investigations.

As Durham’s files become public, pressure mounts on officials from both the intelligence community and Clinton’s campaign to explain their actions. Whether criminal charges or congressional hearings will follow remains uncertain.

What is clear, however, is that the declassified memos have reshaped part of the historical narrative of the 2016 election—raising doubts, inspiring fresh investigations, and fueling a long-simmering political feud.