Grand Jury Investigation Initiated Over Allegations of Intelligence Manipulation

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has ordered a grand jury probe into claims that Obama administration officials manipulated intelligence on Russia's 2016 election interference. This follows Tulsi Gabbard's accusations and Donald Trump's support for prosecution. The Justice Department is forming a strike force to assess these allegations, which have drawn criticism from Democrats.

In a significant development, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has initiated a grand jury investigation into allegations that members of former President Barack Obama's administration fabricated intelligence regarding Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. This move, confirmed by an anonymous source, comes as the Justice Department forms a strike force to further examine claims made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

President Donald Trump has strongly endorsed these claims, stating publicly that this investigation is a vindication of his long-standing assertion about manipulation of the U.S. intelligence community. Fox News reported that Bondi personally ordered a federal prosecutor to begin proceedings, with the possibility of presenting evidence to a grand jury that may consider an indictment.

While Democrats have dismissed these allegations as unfounded and politically motivated, an assessment by the U.S. intelligence community in early 2017 confirmed Russia's attempts to interfere with the election, although it noted the effects were limited and did not alter voting outcomes. Despite this, the heated political debate continues, with Trump accusing Obama of treason, a charge the former President's spokesperson has adamantly denied.

(With inputs from agencies.)