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Why the administration’s latest allegations about the Russia investigation don’t add up

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CNN
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified and released new intelligence documents Friday that she claimed were evidence of a “treasonous conspiracy” by top Obama administration officials to manufacture the notion that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

But the allegations conflate and misrepresent what the intelligence community actually concluded, according to a review of a GOP-led Senate investigation from 2020 and interviews with congressional sources familiar with the probe.

The newly unsealed documents do nothing to undercut the government’s core findings in its 2017 assessment that Russia launched an influence and hacking campaign and sought to help Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton, the sources said.

The new allegations from Gabbard lean on assessments before the election and statements from Obama-era intelligence officials finding that the Russians did not alter the election results through cyber-attacks aimed at infiltrating voting systems.

But the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment never concluded that Russian cyberattacks altered the outcome of the 2016 election or compromised any election infrastructure in the first place, though state voting systems were probed.

Instead, the assessment focused on Russia’s influence campaign ordered by President Vladimir Putin and cyber operations against US and Democratic Party officials, including the hacked emails released by WikiLeaks.

“These are two different things — cyberattacks on infrastructure and hacking the DNC — which they’re conflating in an attempt to make a political point,” said a former senior congressional source familiar with the Senate review. “It’s just wildly misleading on its face.”

In 2020, a bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee review agreed with the intelligence community’s conclusions on Russia’s election interference and Putin’s role directing the effort.

Multiple congressional sources familiar with the Senate report said that Gabbard is trying to lean on intelligence assessments that no voting systems were breached to falsely make a broader leap that a Russian influence and cyber campaign did not occur. The Senate review included interviews with the intelligence analysts who drafted the report, none of whom reported any political interference, the congressional sources said.

Gabbard’s office did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Gabbard’s declassified document release is only the latest example of Trump administration officials trying to rewrite the history of the Russia investigation during the president’s first six months in office.

Last month, CIA Director John Ratcliffe also released a review that criticized the intelligence community’s conclusion that Putin sought to help Trump, which he said was reached “through an atypical & corrupt process.” Ratcliffe referred former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey to the Justice Department, which is now investigating, CNN previously reported. Gabbard also threatened on Friday to refer Obama officials to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution.

Trump and his allies have spent years trying to denigrate all aspects of the Russia investigation, which consumed much of the first two years of Trump’s first term – including the 2017 intelligence assessment; special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe and the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation; and the infamous dossier written by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, which was funded by the Clinton campaign and alleged coordination between the Russian government and people associated with the Trump campaign.

Trump touted Gabbard’s findings over the weekend, reposting videos of Gabbard speaking on Fox Business and memes of former President Barack Obama and his top officials in prison jumpsuits. Earlier this year, Trump declassified and released redacted documents from a binder that the White House compiled in 2020 criticizing the FBI’s probe, including the bureau’s errors in relying on the dossier to obtain foreign surveillance warrants on a Trump adviser.

“Obama himself manufactured the Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX. Crooked Hillary, Sleepy Joe, and numerous others participated in this, THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY!. Irrefutable EVIDENCE. A major threat to our Country!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social Monday evening.

The January 2017 intelligence assessment, released days before Trump took office, was a key first step in turning Trump against the “deep state.” He’s long disputed the conclusion that Putin and the Russian government aspired to help him win, believing it undermined the legitimacy of his 2016 victory.

A 2018 report by the GOP-led House Intelligence Committee disputed the tradecraft behind the conclusion that Putin tried to help Trump. Ratcliffe was a member of that committee at the time, and FBI Director Kash Patel was a top aide on the panel. Ratcliffe’s review last month did not dispute the intelligence community’s finding that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.

Gabbard alleged that the intelligence assessment on Russian interference relied on the Steele dossier and was used by the Obama White House to “subvert the will of the American people.”

In an 11-page memo accompanying the declassified documents, Gabbard cites emails from intelligence officials and an earlier September 2016 intelligence assessment stating that foreign adversaries don’t have the capability to “covertly overturn the vote outcome.” The memo points to talking points in December 2016 for then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, stating: “Foreign adversaries did not use cyberattacks on election infrastructure to alter the US Presidential election outcome.”

Christopher Steele, ex-MI6 agent, center, departs from the Royal Courts of Justice in London, UK, on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.

Gabbard’s memo alleges that when the January 2017 intelligence assessment on Russian interference was released, it “falsely alleges, based in part on ‘further information’ that had ‘come to light’ since the election, that Putin directed an effort to help President Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.”

“This ‘further information’ is later confirmed to be the Steele Dossier,” the memo states.

But congressional sources took issue with both of her claims: The intelligence community conclusion of a Putin-directed campaign was not evidence that the election outcome had been altered, they said, and the committee’s interviews with the analysts who drafted the assessment said that the Steele dossier did not inform its analysis.

There was an internal debate about whether the dossier should be part of the assessment or a separate annex, but the CIA insisted it be kept out of the report, according to the committee’s report.

“All individuals the Committee interviewed stated that the Steele material did not in any way inform the analysis in the ICA — including the key judgments — because it was unverified information and had not been disseminated as serialized intelligence reporting,” the committee report states.

Gabbard’s memo claims the dossier was involved in the assessment on the basis of an “ODNI whistleblower,” who had worked previously on election interference and said they were sidelined on the January 2017 Russia document.

The memo states that the whistleblower was “shocked” to be told in helping to respond to a 2019 Freedom of Information Act request that the dossier was “a factor” in the intelligence assessment.

But the email that’s cited in the memo merely states that the dossier was a factor because it was an annex to the intelligence assessment — there’s no suggestion that means it was involved in the crafting of the analysis itself.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that the panel’s investigation resulted in a “unanimous, bipartisan conclusion” that Putin interfered in 2016 to benefit Trump.

“This is just another example of the DNI trying to cook the books, rewrite history, and erode trust in the intelligence agencies she’s supposed to be leading,” Warner said.



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Diogo Jota’s wife posts ‘forever’ tribute to mark one month since wedding

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Rute Cardoso, the wife of Diogo Jota, has paid tribute to her late husband, marking a month since the couple got married.

Liverpool and Portugal star Jota died in a car crash in Spain on July 3 at the age of 28 along with his 25-year-old brother André Silva – who was also a professional footballer.

In a post on Instagram, Cardoso shared photographs from their wedding day on June 22, along with an emotional message.

“1 month since our ‘til death do us part,’” she said Tuesday, adding she was “forever” his.

Jota married his long-term partner Cardoso less than two weeks before the crash. The couple had three children together.

The soccer world has rallied behind the family since Jota’s death. His funeral was attended by many current players, including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Portugal star Rúben Neves.

Cardoso was pictured embracing other mourners as she arrived at the church ahead of the ceremony on July 5.

Liverpool, the team Jota was playing for before his death, has since retired his No. 20 shirt.

A mural of the star has also been painted on a wall in the city.

Jota was a vital part of Liverpool’s recent success, lifting the Premier League trophy at the end of last season.

He was also part of the Portugal national team which won the Nations League in June this year, having also won the competition in 2019.



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Women’s Euros: England produces another dramatic comeback to make second consecutive final

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England has made late comebacks its calling card at the 2025 Women’s Euros and produced another dramatic finish in its 2-1 victory over Italy in the semifinals in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday.

The Lionesses had trailed most of the match after Barbara Bonansea’s first half goal on 33 minutes until Michelle Agyemang equalized in the 96th minute, with less than two minutes of added time remaining.

In extra time and with the contest looking as if it was going to penalties for the second consecutive match, England was awarded a penalty in the 117th minute when Beth Mead was fouled in the box.

Although Azzurre goalkeeper Laura Giuliani initially saved Chloe Kelly’s spot-kick, the English forward was quickest to react, stabbing the rebound home from close range and booking the Lionesses’ place in the final in the most dramatic fashion.

“It is definitely a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat,” Kelly told reporters afterwards. “These girls are brilliant – they make me so proud to be English, as every English person is right now.

“I can’t believe what happened. The togetherness of this group is so special.”

Kelly (No. 18) scored the winning goal against Italy.

England had qualified for the semifinals in an extraordinary manner, scoring two late goals to come from 2-0 down to force extra time against Sweden before a dramatic penalty shootout unfolded with the Lionesses managing to keep their cool at the key moment.

Italy, on the other hand, had beaten Norway in the quarterfinals but was the heavy underdog against the Women’s Euros defending champion, looking for its first spot in the final since 1997.

Despite the pre-match predictions, it was the Italians who struck first. A probing cross from Sofia Cantore caused all manner of confusion among the England defenders before Bonansea was able to corral the ball and smash it into the roof of the net.

With the Azzurre ahead, England went on the front foot in search of the equalizer. And whether through some wayward finishing or some inspired goalkeeping from Giuliani, the Lionesses were unable to draw themselves level.

That was until the 96th minute when Agyemang, who has made a habit as a substitute of providing big, late impacts at this tournament, once again displayed her proficiency off the bench.

Giuliani could only parry a cross with the rebound falling to the 19-year-old’s feet where she smashed the ball home.

The goal sparked wild scenes of celebration, with Italy’s players clearly distraught at conceding so late into the match.

Agyemang has been England's game-changing substitute at the Women's Euros.

With the game in extra-time, both teams had chances to score again – Agyemang came closest in the 117th minute where her lob bounced off the crossbar.

But with penalties looming once again for England, Mead was fouled in the box as she attempted to connect with a Lauren Hemp cross, with referee Ivana Martinčić pointing to the spot.

There was even more drama though as Kelly – with her unique run-up before her penalty, comprising of a hop and a jump – had her penalty saved but managed to tap home to clinch a dramatic win.

The victory continues England’s success at major international tournaments, with this marking the team’s third final in a row; the Lionesses won the Women’s Euros on home soil in 2022 and lost to Spain in the World Cup final in 2023.

“I feel like it hasn’t really sunk in. It was just a rollercoaster of emotions, trying to stay focused in the 120 minutes to make sure we didn’t let Italy back into the game,” England defender Lucy Bronze said afterwards. “I can imagine once I’m in the dressing room, and we’re on the bus, and we get back to (the team base in) Zurich, it’ll sink in that we’ve made it to another final.

“I don’t think you’ll find a team in world football with more fight and more resilience than this England team. To come back and to never give up, the same as we did in the previous game, and to fight to the end; we kept our dreams alive and then to finish it in extra time as well is unbelievable.”

England will face either Spain or Germany in Sunday’s final in Basel, with the two facing off in their semifinal on Wednesday in Zurich.



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Live updates: House to send lawmakers home early to stall Epstein-related move

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First Lady Melania Trump arrives to attend the opening night of

House Republicans want to name the John F. Kennedy Center’s opera house after first lady Melania Trump.

Republicans included language that would designate the opera house at the center for the performing arts in Washington, DC, as the “First Lady Melania Trump Opera House” in an amendment for a spending bill for the Interior Department.

It’s unclear whether the bill will pass the full House, let alone whether it could make it into a bipartisan agreement with the Senate, so it remains to be seen whether the provision will make it into law. The House is set to recess tomorrow, leaving lawmakers with limited time when they return in September before the government runs out of funding.

During the House Appropriations Committee’s meeting on the bill today, GOP Rep. Mike Simpson — who introduced the amendment — said “yes, we renamed the opera house at the Kennedy Center for the first lady, who is the honorary chairman of the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center.”

He argued that it’s an “excellent way to recognize” Melania Trump’s “support and commitment to promoting the arts.”

The amendment was adopted by the committee, 35-22, with Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joining with the panel’s Republicans to vote yes.

The first lady’s office did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.

CNN’s Betsy Klein contributed reporting to this post.



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